Posted in ICHRALatest NewsPress Release
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| UNITED SIKHS 2016 Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) students advocated for Sikhs to be allowed to self-identify in the 2020 U.S. Census and called for Punjabi language Census instructions. |
| Dated: May 4, 2017 |
| New York, NY : On April 30, 2017, UNITED SIKHS responded to the Census Bureau’s request for comments on its recent proposed rule amendments and stated that there should be a distinct “Sikh” category represented. Stereotypes fueled by the media, discriminatory policies and corrupted public attitudes toward immigrants, especially since September 11, 2001, exacerbate feelings of bigotry that result in backlash against the Sikh community like never before. To address this backlash the U.S. government must allow Sikhs to self- identify in future Censuses. |
| Sikhs can trace their ancestry in the United States back at least 100 years when many came to California to work on the railroads. Then, like now, Sikhs faced bias, racism and xenophobia. Yet, to date, they are grouped into a general Asian-Indian category in the U.S. Census and this ignores their unique circumstances. |
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| An U.S. Census that does not count Sikhs as a separate category of people does not fulfill its mandate. During the 2016 SIKH SUMMIT in Washington, DC, UNITED SIKHS advocates encountered widespread support from members of Congress who agreed to sign-on to a letter to the Census Bureau calling for identification of Sikhs as a distinct group in the Census. Young Sikh leaders with the UNITED SIKHS 2016 Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) also advocated for Punjabi language instructions to be sent to the community before the next Census to insure that Sikhs know their rights. |
| There are unique opportunities for everyone to become involved and get the word out that Sikh should have their distinct ethnic identity represented in the 2020 Census. You can help by calling, writing or emailing your representatives in Congress. Tell them “I want the Census Bureau to allow Sikhs to self-identify as Sikhs in 2020!” |
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| In addition, from July 12-14, 2017, join UNITED SIKHS for the 2017 SIKH SUMMIT and meet your Congressional representatives and tell them in person. From July 10-14, 2017, young adults, ages 17-32, can also be a part of the UNITED SIKHS Advocacy & Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) where they will learn and obtain practical experience advocating on this issue and other Sikh civil rights matters. |
| For information about the 2017 SIKH SUMMIT and or the Advocacy & Humanitarian Academy (AHAA) go to www.UNITEDSIKHS.org. Applications will be available beginning May 15, 2017. |
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