Community Update

Sikhs Unite in Wake of the Wisconsin Tragedy

"Sikhaan Daa Mun Nivaa, Muth Uchchi.."

Implies "keep the emotions in your heart calm and mental reasoning clear. " As Sikhs recite this in their Ardaas (prayers) everyday, they are reminded to remain humble and grounded.

It is this lesson of humility that had joined the Sikhs together across the world. UNITED SIKHS stands in solidarity with the Sikh communities rising above the tragedy that occurred on August 5, 2012 at the Sikh Gurudwara in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek in Wisconsin. With the hope and prayer that the world will be made safer for everyone, UNITED SIKHS mobilized its teams to help the community:

• UNITED SIKHS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM reached Wisconsin to provide immediate and first-hand assistance to the families dealing with the tragedy.
• Trauma counsellors scheduled to arrive Thursday, August 8th to start assisting with the post traumatic stress related effects of the event on the Oak Creek Community at large.
• Launches "I pledge against Hate Crime" campaign to raise awareness against such senseless acts.
• Installs a Task Force to communicate with law enforcement agencies in United States to ensure community confidence in their safety is restored
• Extended the National Helpline 1-855-US-UMEED ( 1-855-878-6333) to all individuals seeking assistance as they come to grips with the tragedy.
• Has been in constant communication with the media and the community member to ensure active and correct information is being reported, not only as the events unfold, but also that accurate information regarding the Sikh panth is being sent out to the public.
• Calls upon Inter-faith communities to show solidarity by hold prayer vigils in places of worship.
• Created an action plan and toolkit for community safety.

Rising in solidarity, Sikh organizations including The Sikh Coalition, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund ( SALDEF) , Sikh Research Institute and UNITED SIKHS, in collaboration with local Sikh leaders, institutions and Gurdwaras, urge Sikh Americans, across the nation, to organize inter-faith vigils within their respective communities for Wednesday, August 18th, evening to remember and pray for the individuals and communities affected by this tragic event.

Please use the links below to get more information as you spread the word across your communtiy:

• Who are the Sikhs ?
• Talking points about Sikhism and what people can do to help the victims and their families
• Pledge against hate crimes. Join "I Pledge against Hate Crime" campaign
• How can I help or donate to help the families ?
  Please go to either one of these sites and click contribute now.
  • We are Sikhs
  • Milwaukee Sikh
• SALDEF has developed a Toolkit if you would like to organize a vigil in your community.
• How can I join a vigil ? Please click here to join our facebook page which is constantly being updated with information on vigils across the country. Please join and encourage all to join in solidarity.
• How can I make myself safe ? UNITED SIKHS has developed a Toolkit and action plan to prepare communities for an emergency situation.

Please contact us at unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org for any assistance, if you would like to contribute in any way or if you want to inform us about vigils or actions being organized across the communities.

We will continue to update the community on the latest developments. Let's pray together for the innocent victims in this hour of crisis.

To speak to a UNITED SIKHS representative directly, please visit www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php to find an office near you.

Issued by:
Jatinder Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS:
Phone: 1-510-421-0538, 1-888-243-1690, 1-646-688-3525
unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org

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UNITED SIKHS serves in the fields of:

Sikh-Aid:The Sikh Aid team provides non-partisan global humanitarian disaster relief services, which not only provide immediate aid but also rehabilitation help to the needy.

International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA): Standing up for and helping protect  the civil and human rights of minorities and marginalized groups in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Community Empowerment and Education Division (CEED): Empowering individuals and groups to attain their full potential and become active participants in society through Education, Training and Community development projects. They take their place in the decision-making processes in their local community as well as in the international arena.

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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.