United Sikhs To Provide Legal Clinic for New York Sikhs Today

NEW YORK—After meeting with the New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), United Sikhs is organizing a free legal clinic in New York to assist Sikhs with their civil rights concerns.  The clinic will take place today at 5:00 PM at the Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society of New York.

In a press release issued earlier today, United Sikhs stated, “While the City of New York has some of the most progressive civil rights laws in the country, many members of the Sikh community suffer workplace, school and public space discrimination based on actual or perceived religion, race, ethnicity and national origin.”

The meeting between United Sikhs and CCHR discussed upon how both organizations could work together to inform the Sikh community about their religious and civil rights and about where to go if they need assistance.
 
“The Sikh community often needs religious accommodations in order to be able to wear the turban, Kirpan and or beard at work. They also often suffer discrimination when they are detained or refused entry because they wear these articles of faith. Children in schools suffer bullying because they are perceived to be Muslim or because of their race or actual or perceived national origin. Bullying could lead to or constitute violations in these circumstances,” United Sikhs stated.
 
“New York City civil rights laws protect a Sikh’s right to religious expression and against discrimination. In fact, recent court decisions have upheld that discrimination occurs even when employers place Sikh employees out of public view based on stereotypes because this denies the individual equal opportunity and protection.”

“According to CCHR, their offices are available to take complaints of discrimination to enforce the City’s civil rights laws.  United Sikhs provides “Know Your Rights” workshops in Gurdwaras across the country and are prepared to help members of the New York City community who need assistance to file their complaint.”


 

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