Attack on Sikh Man Condemned as Hate Crime
New York, NY, July 13, 2004... The Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) condemned the July 11 attack on a
Sikh man by a group of men in Queens as a
deplorable hate crime.
Rajinder Singh Khalsa, who wears the traditional
beard and turban of his religion and is the
president of an organization founded to create
awareness of the city's Sikh population, was
severely beaten and suffered a broken nose in the
attack, which took place outside a restaurant in
the Richmond Hill section.
"This week, our community was shaken by a
deplorable crime, the attack on Rajinder Singh
Khalsa in Richmond Hills, Queens," said Joel J.
Levy, Director ADL New York Office. "This
reprehensible hate crime is evidence of the tragic
reality that hate remains a force in our
communities and it must be fought. In our diverse
society, it does not matter whether the victim is
Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish or Christian. People
of all backgrounds need to work together to build
a future that we can be proud to pass on to our
children and grandchildren."
The police have made an arrest in the attack.
"We applaud the police for their fast action in
this case, especially the members of the Hate
Crimes Task Force who played a key role," added
Mr. Levy. "We hope the District Attorney will
prosecute this case as a hate crime, and the
people responsible will be punished to the fullest
extent of the law."
The Anti-Defamation League, founded
in 1913, is the world's leading organization
fighting anti-Semitism through programs and
services that counteract hatred, prejudice and
bigotry.
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