Sikh Hate Crime Victim Back in Hospital

Seattle Sikhs to Hold Vigil for Sukhvir Singh

 


Taking Immediate Action to Protect Sikh the Community:


Media Coverage

Media coverage is critical to assuring that authorities take the matter seriously.  Since yesterday, the Sikh Coalition has worked to place news articles about the attack in the following papers:

- The Seattle Times

- The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

- The Olympian

- The local affiliates of CBS, FOX. NBC are covered the story today during the 6'oclock news.

Government

The FBI - Within two hours of learning of the attack the Sikh Coalition alerted its contacts with the United States Justice Department Civil Division. The FBI has opened an investigation as a result. 

Seattle Police Department - The Coalition also immediately alerted its contact within the Seattle Police Department to find out whether the crime was being investigated as a hate crime.

U.S. Justice Department's Community Relations Service - The Coalition also alerted the Community Relations Service of the United States Justice Department in Seattle of the attack to request its help working with local officials.

(Seattle, WA) November 27, 2007 - Sukhvir Singh, the Sikh cab driver who was brutally assaulted in a hate attack Saturday night is back in the hospital. Seattle's Sikh community is organizing a candelight vigil in support of Sukhvir tomorrow evening outside the Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Washington in Renton. The Coalition urges all concerned people in the Pacific Northwest to attend Wednesday's vigil in support of Sukhvir.

Sukhvir Singh's Health
On November 24, 2007, a passenger in Sukhvir's cab began to verbally abuse him, calling him an "Iraqi terrorist" and threatening to kill him. As his anger escalated, he attacked Sukhvir Singh from the back seat, putting him in a chokehold and knocking off his turban. He pulled Sukhvir Singh's long hair so hard that clumps of scalp and hair came out. Washington State Police were called to intervene, the attacker was arrested, and Sukhvir Singh was hospitalized overnight.

After being discharged, Sukhvir Singh remained very ill, and checked back into the hospital late Monday night. He is now being held there and treated for acute renal failure.

Prosecutor's Office Takes Positive Action
In response to press reports overnight, the King County's Prosecuting Attorney's Office today stated that the beating is being investigated as a hate crime. In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into the incident to determine whether to file federal hate crime charges. The Coalition commends the Kings Country Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the United States Justice Department for responding to community concerns.

How Can You Help?
Attend tomorrow's (Wednesday) candelight vigil for Sukhvir Singh. The vigil is being held at 6:00 p.m. at the Singh Sabha of Gurdwara in Renton.  The address is 5200 Talbot Rd South, Renton, Washington.

Please bring a candle and something to cover your head, since the sangat will be reciting rehraas and ardaas for Sukhvir Singh at the vigil. The vigil will start at 6:00 p.m. sharp.

If you do not live in the Seattle area, you can show your support for Sukhvir Singh by sending him and his family an email at supportsukhvir@sikhcoalition.org.

We urge all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If you or someone you know is a victim of discrimination, please report it to legal@sikhcoalition.org.

The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for governments, organizations and individuals.

The Sikh Coalition relies on your financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. Thank you for your support.