American Sikh Day celebrated at California Capitol

The event Wednesday highlighted the history and contributions of Sikh Americans in California and the challenges the community faces, according to the Sikh American Legal
Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF), a community civil rights group.

At the event, organized by Sacramento Sikh Temple and Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg Steinberg, officials and interfaith and advocacy groups expressed their solidarity with the Sikh American community following recent attacks against them in California.

Last November, a Sikh cab driver Harbhajan Singh was brutally attacked by two passengers in West Sacramento and in March two elderly Sikhs, Surinder Singh (67) and Gurmej Atwal (78) were shot in Elk Grove. While Singh died on the spot Atwal, is still in critical condition.

"One thing we can all agree on is that prejudice and discrimination have no place in California," Steinberg said. "No one should be the victim of a hate crime, no one should be the victim of differential treatment, no on should assume something negative about someone because they follow their religion."

"Today, we come here partly because of tragedy but leave here with unity. It's important we learn about each other and that's why I wore the turban to support you all today," said California State Senator Doug LaMalfa.

"We all have common bonds as part of the American fabric and having that common love is what America is about," he said.