UNITED SIKHS volunteer Jasleen Kaur and Community Advocate Akal Singh helped community members at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia and the Sikh Gurdwara, D.C. sign the hair sampling petition to ensure the protection of commercial drivers of the Sikh faith. Similar events were hosted at Gurdwara Sahib Milpitas and the Gurdwara Sahib of Fremont in California.

Washington, D.C.-UNITED SIKHS would like to thank its U.S.A. supporters who have taken a stand against religious discrimination by signing the petition to include a religious exemption amendment in bill S.806: Drug Free Commercial Driver Act. So far, we have received over 1,000 signatures. While we are pleased that so many of you have signed the petition and taken a stand for civil rights, our work is far from over. We require at least 5,000 signatures if we hope to see the amendment included in the bill.

On March 19th, 2015, Senator John Boozman (R-AR3) introduced bill S. 806 in the Senate (On the same day, Congressman Crawford introduced the same bill as H.R. 1467: Drug Free Commercial Driver Act of 2015 to the House of Representatives). On May 20th, bill S.806 was sent to the Senate as a whole for consideration. This means that it is one step closer to being passed.

If enacted, this bill will allow employers to force a Sikh operator to provide a hair sample without offering an alternate form of testing such as urinalysis, thereby preventing Sikhs from seeking employment as operators due to their inability to cut their hair for any purpose. Once again, Sikhs would have to choose between employment, and their faith.

FACTS:
-There is no standard form of hair sample. Methods for hair sampling are determined by testing laboratories. Many laboratories only accept freshly cut hair samples.
– By signing the petition, you are contacting your Senators directly, and making your voice heard. Only one Senator must object to the bill and propose the amendment on the Senate floor. We are ensuring Senators across the country are aware of the concerns of the Sikh community.
-The bill will affect operators of all commercial vehicles.

It is vital that we as a community rally around our Senators by signing the petition and encouraging others to do so. These officials should be informed of the detrimental effect of this bill on the Sikh community, and that overall, it stands in stark contrast to the free exercise clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Community members in signing the petition in Fremont, California.

Click here to read more about the bill and our advocacy efforts. Click here to donate and support our continuing work towards creating equal opportunities in the work place. When the civil rights of any community are under threat, it is up to us to join hands and take a stand for our rights and the rights of others. Last year, you supported us on this very issue, and we were successful.Together, we can achieve this victory again. Yours may be the signature to make a difference in the lives of Sikh commercial drivers all over the country.

Click here to donate and support our continuing work towards creating equal opportunities in the workplace.

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Issued By-
Jaspreet Kaur
Staff Attorney, International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA), UNITED SIKHS
P 646-688-3525
E:Law-usa@unitedsikhs.org