Contact UsStop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial
UPDATE 5/2/11: Arizona Governor Brewer vetos bill. Read more here.
April 26, 2011: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is deciding on signing a bill to remove Balbir Singh Sodhi’s name from the state’s 9/11 memorial and sell his memorial plaque as scrap metal.
TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition urging Gov. Brewer to veto the bill
Arizona Representative John Kavanagh introduced the bill because Sodhi “was not a 9/11 victim.” In fact, Mr. Kavanagh believes the tragic hate crime was unconnected to 9/11. SALDEF is outraged at the disrespect the Arizona state legislature has shown Mr. Sodhi’s memory, family, and the Sikh American community. The efforts by Mr. Kavanaugh and his colleagues to deny the fact that Mr. Sodhi’s murder was a consequence of 9/11 is completely unfounded, unacceptable, and shows a complete failure in leadership.
READ MORE: Mesa man pushes to keep brother’s name on Sept. 11 memorial (Arizona Republic)
On September 15, 2001, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh American gas station owner, was the first hate-crime related murder fatality in the wave of post-9/11 backlash. He was murdered outside of his Chevron gas station in Mesa, Arizona by a man who wanted to ‘kill a Muslim’ in retaliation for the terrorist attacks. He selected Mr. Sodhi simply because he had a beard and wore a turban in accordance with his Sikh faith.
SALDEF implores the Sikh American community to take action against letting Arizona rewrite history and trivialize the first hate crime in the wake of 9/11. Sign the petition urging Gov. Brewer to veto this insensitive and offensive bill.
As we approach the ten year anniversary of Mr. Sodhi’s death, do not allow the voice of victims of hate to be silenced. Take action now and forward this to your family and friends.
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Don’t just sign a petition….if you are in Arizona you should also call the Governer’s office and urge a veto of this bill. The number is: (602) 542-4331. Then dial option 4.
This is a double hurt to the Sikh community in the US.
Removing Mr. Sodhi’s name is an absolute disgrace upon the American people and nation.
A man who was murdered for the way he looks is a victim. And people need to remember that he was the first victim of 9-11 hate.
Is there any legal evidence that the man who shot Mr. Sodhi did so as a direct result of the 9/11 incident in NY, and not because he was racially or otherwise disturbed and disliked any turbaned “foreigners” and 9/11 just gave him an excuse to vent his feelings which he would have done sooner or later regardless of 9/11?
So disgusting. What is this world coming to?
Sad day for me as an American
Arizona, Please stop being the cradle of hate!
As a Christian, Caucasian male, I personally know the Singh family and am appalled at this gesture. I will do anything I can to stop such balderdash.
Please ensure justice and do not deny the memory of this innocent man.
Arizona, what are you doing?! What a horrible thing to do. 9/11 affected everyone of every ethnic background. How could he say that what happened to Balbir S. Sodhi was not part of 9/11. The majority of hate crimes against turbaned people exploded after the tragic event of September. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, do you have nothing else better to work on for your state than to remove Balbir Singh Sodhi’s name from the state’s 9/11 memorial ?? I suggest the governor focus on productive issues affecting Arizona rather than backtracking & taking a name off the memorial.
God bless America …. but is it really our home sweet home? Sometimes I wonder.
outrageous!
Stop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial
I don’t see a point in removing him from the memorial. I feel this is pretty disrespectful of Arizona
I do agree he was a victim of a hate crime perpetuated by 9/11, so I guess it was justified putting Sardar Balbir Singh’s name on the memorial. I don’t see how this is getting in Gov. Brewer’s way. Can she not continue going about her business as Governor with his name on the memorial? I just don’t understand how these topics arise. Are they just sitting in a conference brainstorming when all the sudden Gov. Brewer says, “You know what I saw this weekend? I saw a funny name on the 9/11 memorial. Let’s find out if this guy was *really* a victim. And if he’s not, let’s make scrap metal out of his name.”
This bill’s passing will definitely hurt more people than it would help. Sometimes I feel like parts of the Hippocratic Oath should apply to politicians. This is lunacy.
waheguru
This is so wrong! Just because the terrorists that attacked our country were Middle Eastern doesn’t mean that everyone of that descent should be villanized! This is the height of paranoia and racism!
Arizona pl, don’t rub salt in Mr Sodhi’s family wounds…
this is barbaric!
People like Jan Brewer make America look bad.
Soo sad
This is absolute disgrace of humanity, this is sick. I totally hate this move of removing Balbir Singh’s name. Who says he wasnt a victim of 9/11. I think lots of other communities were also a victim. Add thier name too if need be.
God Bless some insensitive humans with compassion & sense.
Disrespect for no reason AZ
OMG he is not related to terrorism America is a great country but sometimes it can be filled with a country of idiots! He’s Sikh not even Islamic! This is sooo retarded and absolutely idiotic of people to do!
why did this subject ever come up? Leave his name and remember some people were affected by 911 a lot more than Jan Brewer. I can’t believe she’s governor
I dont see the point.
This reprehensible decision further exacerbates post-9/11 hate against Sikhs, Arabs, Muslims, and/or South Asians. Selling Singh’s plaque as scrap metal is a hateful, racist act itself because it denigrates his memory. This decision minimizes the lasting impact 9/11 has on US residents. Brewer and Kavanaugh should be ashamed.
Ridiculous! Really really sad what this governor is up to…
Arizona Representative John Kavanagh introduced the bill because Sodhi “was not a 9/11 victim.”
Mr. Kavanagh,
Because of 9/11 Balbir Singh Sodhi was killed..
If 9/11 doesn’t happen, Balbir Singh Sodhi is still alive.. Stop being ignorant..
Stop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial
Hope this bill doesn’t pass.
Seriously, How much ‘scrap metal’ will they get for it? Arizona needs to stop worrying about these things and focus on education.
First of all this is completely disrespectful to the family and all of the Arizona residents. It is going to make Arizona look like Arizona is full of racists. Doesnt help the state at all, in anyway.
Hate crimes should not be taken as such a trivial matter, period.
How would John Kavanagh and Jan Brewer feel if it was their brother’s memorial? Sometimes i just feel like moving from here. SB1070, now this?
.
John Kavanagh should focus on writing bills that can change something FOR THE BETTER…why is he focusing on this? Is this what he does with his time? Also, is this what Arizona is going to be known for? We’ve already had the most negative publicity by once removing MLK as a national holiday..which was ludicrous!! Do we really want to pass this bill and remove a memorable 9-11 HATE CRIME just to be criticized even more..and to be known as a backwards, white-supremacist state?
It’s things like this that really hurt my opinion of the government. I have loved ones that have fought and died for this country and they fought for all Americans. This man may not have died in the 9/11 bombings but he is and always will be considered a victim of 9/11 no matter what happens to this memorial. In honor of his memory and the loss of his loved ones though we should keep his name on that memorial and if the people that are doing this don’t agree then you don’t understand what it means to be an American!!
I am appalled that Arizona would seriously consider doing such a thing!
Proof that the top requirement to racism is stupidly.
THIS IS SO SAD
very sad…
Such a disrespectful gesture…I hope justice will be served to Balbir Singh Sodhi and his family.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210917108932951
JOIN TO STOP THIS
Wow, this definitely sounds racist. What else, other than racism, would motivate a person so much to REMOVE a plaque in the memory of someone who died? And then to sell it as scrap metal speaks volumes about the lack of class, etiquette, respect, and concern for human rights in general.
If it was not connected and after effect of 9/11 then what was it? may be we can rewrite history and say 9/11 did not happen or Arizona never became a state and is still a wild wild wild west.
In humanity hate crime has no place. Hate crime is not only disgraceful but also inhuman.Ultimate price one can pay for his or her country is life. Balbir Singh has exactly done that. His sacrifice will cultivate the act of bravery for our future generations to come. Life of Sikh is regulated by the etrnal wisdom revealed that enriches in the self knowledge of: Oneness of God – Universal Brotherhood of Mankind – Fatherhood of One God. Governor should be couragious not to remove Balbir Singh’s name from 9/11 memorial list. God bless America.
This is embarrassing for our state and country. I find it unacceptable that this is being questioned and terribly disrespectful. This makes me very sad.
Do not deny the memory of balbir singh sodhi! Please ensure justice to this man! To hear this is a big disappointment!
Is this really the America I live in? This is terrible. Every American should be offended by this!!!!!
What an ignorant and disrespectful thing to suggest. Verily, to do so would be an act of injustice. Best of luck on yhe campaign
outrageous
Our state government has done some pretty stupid things, but I think this tops it off
What an ignorant and disrespectful thing to suggest. Verily, to do so would be an act of injustice. Best of luck on the campaign!
I don’t see a point in removing him from the memorial. I feel this is pretty disrespectful of Arizona
Are you serious? Well, it’s not surprising that the state of AZ would be so outrageously racist and stupid – their push on the Immigration Bill vouches for that….shame on you for lacking common sense and any semblance of humanity!
Arizona is pounding patriotism into the grave. Please be respectful Arizona! Honor the deceased, their loved ones and serve him justice.
This is ridiculous!
Wow! I knew that some individuals in the U.S. Are ignorant but I did not know that even government officials that we select are so ignorant. Removing mr. sodhi’s name from the memorial is not only hurtful to sikhs but also makes us feel unwanted. We contribute to this country as much as anyone else yet a victim of 9/11 doesnt even recieve recognition….im so disappointed.
Balbir Singh Sodhi was a honest hard working man, was killed by hate crime of 9/11. It is part of 9/11 terrorism. He should be remembered for this. Why should there be a bill to remove him from the 9/11 memorial?
To refuse to honor him in the memorial would be a disgrace, another hate crime in and of itself.
The ignorance among the people and leaders of this country is getting downright embarrassing. What a tragedy!!!
Signed.
Ridiculous.
This is so disrespectful and unnecessary, to actually take the time to pass a bill that would remove Mr. Sodhi’s memory from the events surrounding 9/11, of which he truly was a victim. Legislators and government officials should spend more time on helping (not hurting) 9/11 victims’ families.
Discrimination is not the answer to get rid of hatred! Wake up Govt. Be FAIR!
Not sure how someone can believe Sodhi Uncle’s death was not linked to 9/11.
Signed
keep him on the memorial.
signed.
Stop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial
Signed.
They are actually wasting taxpayer money trying to remove his name!
I, honestly, don’t even know where to begin. I am so appalled by this. How could someone be so ignorant and inhuman to even think that Mr. Sodhi’s death wasn’t a hate crime related to the 9/11 attacks. I can only imagine what the Sodhi family must be feeling, and my heart truly goes out to them. This bill should not be passed, and should have never been even an issue to begin with! The saddest part is that government officials, the people we are supposed to trust and look up too, have no shame and are plain out stupid. I will be very disappointed if this bill gets passed…
He should be ashamed of himself! Balbir Singh Sodhi was a great man who had his life stolen from him because of the 9/11 incident!
Stop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial.
This is very tragic news. I hope that the administrative officers in Arizona come to realize that their biases are obstructing justice and that such a decicion could sever ties with a great community.
Signed!
This is absurd.. His death was due to stereotypes and ignorance that was created from 9/11 toward “brown” people… Propaganda and media used 9/11 to force people to think all people with brown complexion were the enemies…
Haven’t we learned anything?
So unnecessary……
What a tragedy…. This is so wrong. Can we not let a family live in peace?
that is so mean for Arizona to do that!
Signed!
That is so mean for Arizona!!
. . .
Signed!
Signed! This is ridiculous!!!
Stop every one From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial
signed
Signed! this is ridiculous. Plus…sikhs rule (:
This is so sad
signed.
this is an outrage, what kind of government would really do this.. only in the states.. if his name is removed your looking at more violence, from minority groups. were all humans, and we all got affected by 9/11 in diffirent ways, im pretty sure because of mr singhs turban he was considered a taliban member. shallow people in arizona need to spend more time educating them selves then passing these stupid bills
Signed!
Signed
signed. this is for all the people targeted in hate crimes after 9/11.. HUNDREDS maybe thousands of innocent muslims and the non muslims just because of our religion, dress, beliefs, whatever it may be.
This Is outrageous!!
this is insane …. honor the man for his sacrifice too !!!
Signed
signed, god damn it USA we’re living in the 21st century
This is crazy! Keep him in the memorial! Signed!
This is ridiculous!
Signed! Wow, what is the world coming to!
What a shame. Whats with Arizona these days. Dont they have anything better to do. Mr. Sodhi deserves to be on this memorial . This is outrageous.
Signed
Aman Brar
Signed!!
Signed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is for all the people that were targeted on 9/11. SIGNED!
Signed.
Signed!
This is insanity.
Signed.
Shame on you Governor when is your term up?
Signed!
signed
Once again blind ignorance about the Sikh faith showing its ugly colors.
Gov’ if this was a white man would you still want him removed?? Think not.
Signed.
My heart goes out to those stuck within a cycle of hateful judgement. Nothing saddens me more than ignorant people who believe Muslims and Sikhs are associated with terrorism. Thank you for the opportunity to sign.
Thats Sad Arizona…
Unbelievable. Arizona at it again. Respect Balbir Singh Sodhi’s memory and leave his name on the memorial.
Signed!
It’s never ceases to amaze me that even after everything Sikhs have done for this country, we are denied the respect we deserve. I am more than willing to sign this petition and to stand up for Sikh rights in not only the Unites States of America but throughout the world.
Not only is it hurtful to many, but there is no up side to removing his name. John Kavanagh, don’t you have something better to do with the taxpayers’ money?
I wonder if we are living in same world where people were being valued for there work. This is just a thinking of a fanatic of something to remove some ones name from memorial. Govt. officials seems to be ignorant about the truth. This is surely a unacceptable thing to remove his name…..
Please do not remove. Please.
This is disgusting, American, itself is a ignorant country. Many people die, and they pick on a individual of a descent. and want to kick him off this memorial.This need to be pushed forward to the president, and kick Arizona politician out, the same people who are being disrespectful to the immigrants there.
This is insane!!! stop it, this is just not fair and please for gods sake stop hating someone because of their religion.
It is unfortunate and a shame this is even being considered. Anyone can clearly see this was in direct relation to the unfortunate incident on 9/11. My apologies and condolence to Mr Sodhi’s family even having to deal with this.
signed
hate crime is hate crime- Balbir Singh was a victim of 9/11 as much as any other american in my opinion.
History needs to learn from its mistakes- removing his plaque is not only ignorant, its a step towards genocide.
RIP Balbir Singh Sodhi
SIGNHED
SIGNED
Arizona, the heat is getting to your guys’ head.
signed
Signed
This shouldn’t be done to maintain the basic belief of American Society for all the Sikhs living in the US
Signed.
I proud be Sikh and I proud be younger brother of BALBIR SINGH SODHI
Signed. I send my regards to the family, as this is a very hurtful and unnecessary act.
SIGNED.!
this is really sad.
How ignorant, racist, and repulsive.
Stop Arizona from removing this memorial it is of utmost disrespect to do so. Balbir Sohdi was a great man he deserves justice from the aftermath of 9/11. Keep his memorial!
Signed
Signed
US should stop this injustice. I strongly oppose the step to remove Balbir Singh Sodhi’s name from 911 memorial. Mr Sodhi truly deserved to be on the list.
Signed!
I wish I could sign this a million times. We need to end hatred everywhere
This is Wrong!!!
Like really, there’s nothing else important left to do in the state of Arizona that your worried about a name on a plaque? No wonder the entire world laughs at this stupid state.
This needs to be stopped!
After 9/11 so many Sikhs have been a victim of hate crimes, and now they wanna take Balbir Singh Sodhi off the memorial? I DON’T THINK SO!!!
It is heartbreaking to see that discrimination and hate is still prevalent in this country. What is this world coming to? My condolences to the family of Balbir Singh Sodhi.
This is Wrong!!!
Signed!
RIDICULOUS!
its ignorance on top of ignorance. They associate him with being Muslim is one ignorance, and associating all Muslims with 9/11 is another ignorance.
i just cannot believe this is actually happening in America. i hope, for America’s sake, that this Governor’s wishes are not fulfilled, and they replace that bigot. ugh. how frustrating.
Heartless
What further makes this ridiculous and ironic is that Mr. Sodhi isn’t even Muslim..the killer wasn’t educated and it sounds like the Arizona government isn’t either.
taking his name down would just be stupid. have some respect for his memory.
Ignorance is dreadful and disgusting.
Really? This is what we have turned into. This guy deserves to be remembered.
Stop Arizona From Removing Balbir Singh Sodhi from 9/11 Memorial.
Mr. Kavanagh is an ignorant man for not doing correct research and reviewing the statement and facts that were presented before him, prior to him signing this ridiculous bill. I only hope Brewer and Romley can put an end to Kavanagh’s stupidity. RIP Mr. Singh, prayers & thoughts to the family.
I am not familiar with this much prejuduce in America the 31 years I have lived here. This is utter nonsense, and needs to stop now before we become just like the ones responsible for 911.
Balbir Singh should not be denied respect for the fact that his life WAS taken due to the tragic event that took place on 9/11. He was a innocent Sikh and im sure he had a great life AND NO ONE had the right to take it from him bnecause they thought he was a terriost.He was not in any way realated to the attack, he was merely a man of honor who was shot down because of the racist veiws of some people in this country. We should stick TOGETHER in times like this, not begin to kill off anyone who looks as if they are a terroist. Another thing is not ALL islamic people should be blamed for this event.This was a bad bunch of islamics not the entire country.
it saddens me to know that Balbir Singh is losing the respect he was given because of some bubble head who thinks he knows it all…
I don’t know how obvious discrimination has to be in order to be seen as common sense in the blotted eyes of politicians.
Please don’t remove his name from the memorial. He was an American too and his name should be there like rest others.
Really?!! Just because he’s Sikh? It’s a religion! We should all be treated with respect, especially when it’s a 911 victim we’re talking about here! Just pathetic.
This is crazy. I remember this incident back 2001. I strongly believe his name should remain how it is. Why would the Arizona governor want to take it off?? The governor should spend more time on important issues!!
Shame on you Arizona!
Sad..
This is very painful to know
Wow.
This is pathetic, and wrong. SIGNED!
Signed
This is disrespectful to the Sikh community in the US.
this is truely sad, Godbless his soul! <3
SIGNED
I wonder Why would she pass such a bill that creates more friction in a State that is already torn apart due to Immigartion issue? Has anyone asked her??
Signed
We Sikh’s have faced ENOUGH discrimination after 9/11. We’re tired, we’re Americans too and we deserved to be treated like we are. Mr. Sodhi was DEFINITELY a victim of a hate crime related to 9/11. And anyone who thinks differently must NOT have common sense, or must be racist. YOU WONT BE FORGOTTEN BALBIR SINGH SODHI.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh. I wonder how the “white” American parents covey us Sikh kids at school. Today it is the 9/11 incident next they will kick us out because of our resemblance with the terrorists. If you look deep enough the fault is ours too, the ignorance of the people could be cured only if we teach them the true meaning of being a Sikh. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh.
signed
This is for everyone and anyone effected by 9/11.
This is utter-nonsense, we have been targeted, hurt, killed, and our emotions have been played around with. ENOUGH is ENOUGH, don’t hurt us any more.
Really??? I can’t believe people think like this – it makes me so sick. IGNORANCE is the word that comes to mind. Please pass this along to family and friends. Stop hatred against innocent people!!!!
What is removing his name going to accomplish? He was an indirect victim of the 9/11 terrorist attack too!
Wow really Arizona…
wOW I didn’t expect this from Arizona government
Shameful behaviour on Arizona’s part!
This is very sad…. Arizona’s governor needs help and someone needs to teach him the difference between religions and culture… Just because he is sikh and wears a turban.. does not mean he is related to OBL or he’s from Taliban….!!! Arizona people are in serious need of education!!!!
May you rest in peace, brother. I am so sorry for you and your family. Not all Americans are this stupid. May Peace Prevail on Earth.
There is no logical argument to support this disrespectful act. Why is Arizona so eager to alienate its immigrant population? In this social climate we need to unite and adopt more humanist ideals. This is our state, our country, our world and we must all work together to make it a better place. I sincerely hope that everyone speaks out against this behavior.
His name should be there. His plaque is not scrap metal and his life had meaning and value, it is outrageous to do this and act like it didn’t. He was a victim of 9/11, however indirectly. He deserves to be on the memorial.
Shame on John Kavanaugh.
soo sad
!!
signed.
Signed!
This is just very sad. RIP.
I have a strong hunch that Mr. Kavanaugh’s ancestor’s were probably immigrants? I am way over the ridiculous things the Arizona Governor and Legislature spend their time on. Let’s do something important with our state and if you can’t let some people with open minds take your seat.
My very dear friends came here from India and Egypt and both of their families have made Tucson Arizona a better place by employing people and serving our country, who could ask for more!
signed. nice to see tax payers dollars spent on such a hurtful act. it makes no sense for Representative Kavanagh to introduce this, then again if you look on the Az legislature site for something meaningful he’s put forth/sponsored you’ll be searching for a long time.
signed.
Dear Governor of Arizona,
I’m a Sikh from Elk Grove, California who’s recently lost 2 fellow Sikh grandfathers from a hate crime regarding 9/11 last month. They were both shot as they were taking an afternoon stroll down the quiet streets of Elk Grove, for NO apparent reason. One of my grandfathers died on the spot, the other suffered for 1 month, and 8 days before he was taken off of life support. I haven’t seen justice for my grandfathers yet. I’m not only a Sikh, but I’m also an American. I’m not a terrorist, and neither were my grandfathers. Nor was Balbir Singh Sodhi, and the countless other Sikh’s who have been attacked after 9/11. I’m AGAINST you removing Balbir Singh Sodhi off the memorial. When the attacker himself had admitted to this being a hate crime regarding 9/11 then how can you say so differently? This is repulsing, and I find it offending. I hope you aren’t as heartless as your making yourself seem to be. Do NOT remove Balbir Singh Sodhi from the memorial plaque. That’s extremely disrespectful, and I PROMISE you, you will lose respect in the eyes of MILLIONS of American’s in this country if you do so. American’s stand by Americans, and this was a hate crime toward an American Sikh. I hope the fact that he was an American SIKH isn’t the reason why you’re trying to remove him. Please don’t do this to the Sikh Community. We’ve suffered enough.
-Jasneet
God Bless America !
God Bless Arizona !
God Bless Balbir Singh Sodhi!
Arizona : Pls donot remove Sodhi from list of 9/11 Memorials!
GOD BLESS!
His Name should be there, let his soul rest in peace.
signed
am appalled, need to veto this bill!!
Incredible that any legislative body in the country would consider such a thing. Shame on the governor.
Yet another piece of absurd and unnecessary legislation from the state of Arizona that is based on pure racism. I am appalled by the recent actions of the state legislature and, quite frankly, I am ashamed to call myself an Arizona native.
This hate crime on its own how can the Sikh People expect to be equal in this country when the leaders them self show no respect and justice for our people