| Queens, New York: With the shooting of another Sikh on March 3, 2017, in Kent, Washington, USA, we see that the events of 9/11 have historical impact. This impact is still becoming evident today and is felt in the vengeance attacks and killings against Sikhs resulting from that event. The Sikh community has become the most visible targets of the ignorance and Muslim retaliation and violence stemming from 9/11. |
| Sikhism is a 500 year old religion whose followers believe in service to others, tolerance, defense of the helpless and equality. There are more than 25,000,000 Sikhs worldwide and approximately up to 500,000 in the United States. Sikhs have existed in the United States for over 100 years, most hailing from Northern India fleeing religious persecution, states Manvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS Director. |
| Until recently, what a Sikh is was unknown to most Americans but the Sikh community is now in the national spotlight because they are repeatedly the victims of 9/11 retaliation and violence. “There have been many Sikh deaths or injuries directly linked to retaliation for 9/11; many since President Trump took office. There are still more killings that are mysteries that can only be explained in terms of the community’s experience with this kind of hate violence since 9/11. The execution style killing of a 17-year-old Sikh boy in his family’s garage in Northern California in November, 2016 is such a mystery and it can lead to panic,” states Ms. Guljit Kaur Bains, an attorney in Queens, New York. |
| The most recent victim was shot in Kent, Washington by a masked man because of who he is perceived to be and or because of the ideas he is presumed to have and because of the color of his skin or the religious turban and beard he wears. |
| “The events of 9/11 alone are not to blame,” states Ms. Bains. “There is growing anti-immigration propaganda and an executive branch moving on immigration in a way that ignores civil and human rights. These are also the legacies and reactionary results of 9/11.” |
| Our UNITED SIKHS staff continues to reach out and educate the American public and leaders about Sikhism in the hopes that putting a face on victims will get the needed response. “We have sent letters to the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions in the hopes that they will lend the necessary resources to the investigation of these heinous crimes, says Mr. Singh. |
| As your partners and community leaders we are here to say for once and for all we will not tolerate it. We will work harder to spread the message that any hate violence and racial profiling will not be accepted. We will do this by standing with other activists and organisations in a united call for strength and solidarity to preserve US democracy. |
| It’s natural to be frightened about our families and our future, but Sikhs have a history of overcoming persecution and we will survive this. This is not the time to sit and sulk. It is time to unite and mobilize. We urge you to get involved in your local communities. As an organization, we will continue to build alliances to hold the President and others accountable. |
| We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines, our lives could very well depend on it. Help us help our community by taking action today. |
| Five ways you can take action against hateFill out the Civil Rights Survey – Help us shed light on the extent to which members of the Sikh community experience hate crimes and or bullying.Report Hate Crimes – Please help us by reporting all such incidents, no matter how insignificant you may feel they were.Know Your Rights – Stay Informed & share with your community share this document from ICEGet Involved – Volunteer your skills, your time and your professional talents to a worthy causeDonate – Because every great movement requires money. |
