U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) on Jan. 15 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill to create a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Task Force on Anti-Sikh Discrimination, which would be required to collaborate with the Sikh community.
“I’m honored to represent the Central Valley’s vibrant Sikh community in Congress, and I remain committed to raising awareness and advancing efforts to protect their rights and safety,” said the congressman, who introduced the Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act, H.R. 7100, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).
If enacted, H.R. 7100 would direct the United States Attorney General to establish the task force on anti-Sikh hate and discrimination, according to the text of the bill.
“As a co-founder and co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I’m proud to stand firmly against anti-Sikh discrimination,” Rep. Valadao said. “For decades following the 1984 Sikh Genocide, Sikh Americans have faced heightened discrimination and hate crimes, and it’s past time for the [DOJ] to take meaningful action to address this violence and transnational repression.”
Specifically, H.R. 7100 would require that the newly created Anti-Sikh Discrimination Task Force be responsible for drafting a definition of anti-Sikhism that could then be used by the DOJ as a guide in charging decisions and for gathering hate crime statistics.
The task force also would develop an educational program to be disseminated to local law enforcement, K-12 entities, and local colleges and universities, on anti-Sikh discrimination, and draft an annual report to Congress that provides an overview of hate crimes against Sikhs, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Valadao’s staff.
“After listening directly to Sikh families and community leaders in North Jersey it is clear that Congress has to take decisive action,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “The bipartisan Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act will turn those conversations into action — strengthening how our federal government defines, tracks, and prevents anti-Sikh hate crimes so that every American can practice their faith freely and safely.”
The American Sikh Caucus Committee, the American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, the Sikh Coalition, the New Jersey Sikh Youth Alliance Inc., SALDEF, and United Sikhs endorse the bill.