UNITED SIKHS
February 3 2010
22nd Maagh (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi)
Press Release

Petition to Disaggregate Sikhs Correctly in the 2010 Census To Be Submitted on Thursday – Sign on Today!

Washington, D.C.: UNITED SIKHS will be submitting a petition on behalf of Sikh Americans to ask the US Census Bureau to disaggregate Sikhs correctly in the 2010 Census and on future Census products this Thursday. Supporters of the petition include Minority Rights Group International and a large number of Sikh organizations including the Sikh Coalition and SALDEF. When an individual writes in “Sikh,” they are automatically coded as Asian Indian. Sign the petition to have Sikhs assigned a code to be counted correctly!

On Thursday of  this week, the petition will be submitted to Robert Groves, Director of Census Bureau; Peter Orszag, Director of Office of Management and Budget;  Wm. Lacy Clay, Chairman of the House Sub Committee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives; and Sen. Thomas R. Carper, Chairman of the Senate Sub Committee on Federal Financial Management. Copies of the petition will also be sent to other members of the legislature, the Department of Justice, the White House, and civil rights organizations.

The Petition will be accompanied by a memorandum that was jointly prepared by Minority Rights Group International (MRG) and UNITED SIKHS legal team. MRG is an international NGO working primarily on minority rights issues and is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The memorandum discusses in detail the recognition of Sikhs as a distinct ethnicity and legal justifications for the concept of self-identification.

We have received overwhelming support on the issue from the Sikh community around the United States, clearly establishing the solidarity of the community in its desire to be counted correctly by the Census Bureau.

If you would like to volunteer in assisting in this and other advocacy efforts, please visit www.unitedsikhs.org/join. If you would like to request more information regarding this or other projects,  please contact law-usa@unitedsikhs.org.

For a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS efforts for Sikhs to be counted correctly, please visit https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-20-01-2010-00.html .

Issued By:

Jaspreet Singh
Staff Attorney
UNITED SIKHS
(646) 315-3909
law-usa@unitedsikhs.org

To sign the petition, please visit https://www.unitedsikhs.org/petitions
/census.php

To read more about the  Census 2010, please visit www.sikhamericancensus.org

UNITED SIKHS International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy
We defend your civil rights liberties, and fight for your right to practice your religion freely.
UNITED SIKHS encourages you to wear your kakaars fearlessly. Have a legal problem? Contact us!

  • Racial Profiling
  • Kirpan & Kakaars
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Hate Crimes
  • Right to Turban
International Civil and Human Rights Cases
Contact Us

To Contact UNITED SIKHS, please visit: www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php

OUR MISSION

To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.

UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.

UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.

We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.