Safety Advisory for the Sikh Community

Special thanks to the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) who contributed the majority of the content for this advisory. Also thanks to Sikh Coalition and Sikh Communications Council for all their ideas and material contributions, as well.

The suspects in the shooting of 52 year old Indian immigrant Avtar Singh Cheira have still not been caught. Cheira, a Phoenix resident, was shot on Monday evening in a hate-related incident. SikhNet, along with all Sikh organizations, is asking the Sikh community to be aware and prepared at this time. Below please find safety tips and suggestions, as well as materials that you can download through SikhNet on safety and Sikh education.

A hate crime is usually motivated by prejudice. These motivations may include race, religion, ethnicity or national origin. Hate crimes occur when someone threatens or commits violence against another persons or property due to prejudice.

The Sikh community needs to be eternally vigilant in the face of prejudice and hate crimes. To that end, all Sikh organizations humbly suggest the following actions:

1. Community leaders and Gurdwara management committees should renew their relationship with local law enforcement agencies and address the community’s concerns with regards to the war and the possible backlash against the local Sikh community. This could be conducted in conjunction with your local Arab and Muslim communities. Work together to contact the heads of local government and, if possible, state and Congressional representatives to express concerns.

2. Parents of Sikh children should talk to teachers and, if possible, offer to make a brief class presentation on Sikhism. In your workplace, be sure to take time to explain to the employer and other employees who you are.

3. Encourage interfaith dialogs and Gurdwara open houses in the coming weeks.

4. Get involved as individuals and as a community in local charity organizations and activities on a regular basis to increase visibility of the local Sikh community and also to become a contributing member of society.

5. Avoid being alone in public, especially at night. When you must do so, be conscious of your surroundings. If you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, immediately attempt to get to safety. Do not feel foolish about running or screaming to draw attention from other bystanders. This could save your life!

6. Turn on alarm systems in your home.

7. Collectively monitor Gurdwaras and Sikh-owned businesses for acts of vandalism or burglary.

8. If you or someone you know becomes the target of a hate crime, immediately contact your local police and report it as a hate/ bias crime! Be sure to tell them that the crime was racially motivated and photographically document all injuries and/or property damage that occurred in the incident. If someone is seriously injured, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately.

Other steps you should take in the event of hate crime include:
a) note the name of doctors and/or police officers
b) save police/hospital reports
c) photograph any bodily injuries and/or damage to property
d) immediately photograph the scene of the incident


If you are attacked or you witness an assault, try to note the assailant's physical characteristics, such as height, build,
color of hair and eyes, clothing, and other details. Specifically, note any unusual traits, such as scars, tattoos, etc.

Listen for voice characteristics, such as accents, speech pattern, and content of statements of assailants.

For more information abut what to do in the event of a hate crime, or for materials to help educate your community about who the Sikhs are, read through or download these materials from SikhNet.

From the SikhNet Community Safety Section (http://www.sikhnet.com/s/safety)

Hate Crime Information Packet
http://www.sikhnet.com/s/HateCrimeInfo

Know What to Do
http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/pubs/Know_What_To_Do.PDF

Your Rights and Avenues of Action as a Hate Crime Victim
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/HateCrimesVictim.pdf

General safety Precautions
http://www.sikhnet.com/s/SafetyPrecautions

Helping Sikh Children Cope with Racism
http://www.sikhnet.com/s/ChildrenCopingWithRacism

Become Active in Your Community
http://www.sikhnet.com/s/BeWithYourCommunity

Legal Precedents for Kirpan Cases
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/LegalUS0.asp


From the SikhNet Educate Your Community Section (http://www.sikhnet.com/s/Light)

Who are the Sikhs
http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/Register.nsf/Files/Poster/$file/SikhAmericansFlyer.pdf

Who are the Sikhs (In Spanish)
http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/Register.nsf/Files/Poster/$file/SikhAmericans-Spanish.pdf

Turbans 'R' Us
http://www.sikhnet.com/sikheducation/turbans.pdf

Helping Sikh Children Deal with Bullying
http://www.sikhnet.com/sikheducation/Bullying%20Brochure.pdf

Letter from Sikh Teachers to Educators
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/LetterTeachers.asp

Presentation for Airline Security Personnel
http://www.sikhnet.com/sikheducation/Airline%20Security.pdf

American Sikh Warrior Defending Freedom: Poster
http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/Register.nsf/Files/Poster/$file/AmericanSikWarriorDefendingFreedom.pdf

American Flag
http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/Register.nsf/Files/Poster/$file/AmericanFlag-Large.pdf