Washington, DC - Attorney General Michael Mukasey met with religious community representatives two weeks ago to discuss issues facing their respective communities in the United States. The Sikh American community was represented by the Sikh Coalition at this historic meeting with the nation's chief law enforcement officer.
Amandeep Singh (Sidhu), the Sikh Coalition's pro bono counsel from the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery LLP, highlighted continued hate crimes and employment discrimination against Sikhs Americans, discussed the Sikh Coalition's recent engagement with the Transportation Security Administration, and expressed the community's heightened concerns about increased bullying of Sikh schoolchildren. Attorney General Mukasey was receptive to the Sikh American community's concerns and reiterated the commitment of the Department of Justice - as well as his personal commitment - to continue regular engagement with religious communities in the United States. The Sikh Coalition commends Attorney General Mukasey for his support and willingness to reach out to the Sikh American community.
Since September 11, 2001, the Sikh Coalition has developed a strong regular working relationship with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. The Sikh community has benefited tremendously from these relationships, and federal assistance has furthered the Sikh Coalition's efforts in multiple legal cases. Also in attendance at this meeting was Grace Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division and Eric Treene, Special Counsel for Religious Discrimination. The Sikh Coalition would like to thank Mr. Treene for his commitment to legal issues facing religious communities in the United States.
The Sikh Coalition's pro bono counsel was joined at this meeting by general counsels for Agudath Israel of America, the American Center for Law & Justice, the Anti-Defamation League, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Hindu American Foundation, Liberty Counsel, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Orthodox Union, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
