UNITED SIKHS organizes Public Safety Townhall, Advocates for Sikh Community Safety

Queens, NY

On December 17, 2023, UNITED SIKHS, in collaboration with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., hosted a Public Safety Townhall at The Sikh Cultural Society. The event aimed to foster an open dialogue and empower the Sikh community to actively participate in discussions surrounding their safety and well-being.

The townhall brought together a distinguished panel of top NYC and Police officials, including the NYPD Patrol Commander for Queens Borough, a representative from the Queens District Attorney’s office, members from the NYC Assembly Speaker Adrian Adams, and representatives from the NYC hate crime prevention office. Elected officials, NYPD officials, and leaders from the Sikh community attended, highlighting the significance of a collaborative effort to address community concerns.

During the event, community members raised pertinent questions and expressed their need for increased protection in light of recent attacks on Sikh community members, notably the tragic killing of 66-year-old Jasmer Singh. The attendees sought reassurance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of the Sikh community.

Mr. Jasmer Singh’s case underscores the urgency for collaborative action, and the vigilante group present at the townhall pledged valuable resources, including a dedicated surveillance vehicle, to support enhanced security initiatives.

Inderjeet Singh, UNITED SIKHS Community Relations Officer stated, “Our community is resilient, and events like these exemplify our commitment to fostering an environment where every member feels secure.”

Dr. Henok Gabisa, Director, International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) said UNITED SIKHS is proud to stand as the institutional bridge between the Sikh community and our elected leadership, ensuring that our concerns are heard and addressed.

Simultaneously, at the Mayor’s event, UNITED SIKHS CEO Gurpreet Singh presented a memorandum outlining key demands for the safety of the Sikh community. He asserted, “We appreciate the opportunity to present our concerns directly to the Mayor. The memorandum highlights specific measures that, if implemented, can significantly enhance the safety and security of the Sikh community. UNITED SIKHS is committed to working collaboratively with the administration to turn these demands into actionable solutions.”

The Public Safety Townhall concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to continue the dialogue and collaborate on concrete measures to enhance the safety and security of the Sikh community in Queens.

Dr. Henok Gabisa

Director, UNITED SIKHS International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA)