Employment Discrimination and Harassment on the Rise
Washington D.C. – June 27, 2008: Whether it is at school, on the street, or in the workplace, Sikh Americans continue to face discrimination and harassment due to their Sikh identity.
A recent example of such discrimination is the case of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Channa. On June 16, 2008 SALDEF announced the filing of a class action employment discrimination lawsuit against the Walt Disney World Company on behalf of Mr. Channa and the entire Sikh American community. Mr. Channa asserts that he was denied employment opportunities by Disney because of his Sikh identity and was even told that he did not have the "Disney look".
We must stand together to put an end to discrimination and harassment against Sikh Americans in the workplace and schools.
In pursuit of this goal, please take a few moments to support the SIKH AMERICAN LITIGATION FUND to ensure that the Sikh American community has a dedicated fund to defend itself in times of need against discrimination and harassment.
Unfortunately, Mr. Channa's experience is not an isolated incident. SALDEF is currently advocating on behalf of 12 other Sikh Americans from across the United States who have been unlawfully forced to choose between their career goals and their Sikh identity:
June 2008 – A Sikh American paramedic in New Mexico is facing potential job displacement due to an allegation that his beard would not allow him to wear a protective mask.
May 2008 – A Sikh American woman in Virginia was fired from her job at a Fortune 500 company because of her resolve to wear her kirpan.
April 2008 – A Sikh American man in North Carolina was refused a job by a convenience store chain because he purportedly did not have the “corporate look”.
January 2008 – A Sikh American man in the Southwest was prevented from taking a post-secondary educational placement test due to his kara, daastar, and kirpan.
Additionally, government agencies charged with protecting citizens from employment discrimination and harassment are often unable to respond promptly and effectively to the Sikh American community's complaints of discrimination and harassment.
“For too long, the Sikh American community has relied on the government to protect our civil rights, to protect our families, and to protect our children,” said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “It’s time for each of us to recognize that we have the ultimate responsibility for defending ourselves, our community, and our children.”
