|
|
 |
Hearing on Hate Crimes in Sikh-American community
9/22/04 San Jose
“Religious practice of wearing turbans have become a liability for
Sikh Americans”
Release by the Office of the
CA Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes
Sacramento, CA - September 15, 2004 - Assemblymember Judy Chu, Chair
of the Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes, today announced that
the Committee will convene two hearings on hate crimes in the Sikh
American community.
“Sikh Americans have found themselves particularly vulnerable to hate
crimes due to the Sikh religious practice of wearing turbans. The custom
of wearing a turban in American has become a liability as images of men
in turban and long beards are continually shown accompanying media
reports on terrorists threats and activities. Sikh Americans have born
the brunt of this misconception,” Chu said, “As chair of the Assembly
Select Committee on Hate Crimes, I am calling two hearings to address
hate crimes in the Sikh-American community.” The first hearing will
convene on Wednesday, September 22, 2004, 11:00
AM - 1:30 PM, at the San Jose Public Library – Biblioteca
Latinoamericana, San Jose. The second hearing will be held in Los
Angeles.
Panelists at the San Jose hearing will include representatives from the
following agencies and organizations: the Office of the Attorney
General, the San Francisco Police Department, the San Jose Police
Department, the Asian Law Caucus, the Fair Employment and Housing
Commission, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Taskforce, the Indian Advisory
Group and the Interfaith Freedom Foundation. Victims of hate crimes will
also present their stories.
A press conference will be held at 10:15 AM at the Biblioteca
Latinoamericana prior to the hearing. Assemblymember Chu and other
panelists will be available for questions. Media kits, including victim
testimonies, will be made available at this time.
WHO: Assemblymember Judy Chu, Chair
Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes
WHAT: Hate Crimes Hearing
WHEN: Wednesday, September 22, 2004
TIME: 11:00AM - 1:30PM
WHERE: Biblioteca Latinoamericana – San Jose Public Library
Community Room 921 South First Street San Jose, CA 95110
|
