The Sikh Bulletin

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beards and turbans, but the policy effectively prevented
new enlistment of Sikhs, Kaur said.
The coalition continues to push the Army to change the
overall policy.
"If government can say to someone, 'You can't serve,
not for any reason that has to do with your abilities,'
that sends the wrong message," Singh said. "We don't
want to be perpetual outsiders."
*****
OREGON GOVERNOR POISED TO END
SIKH TEACHER BAN
YOUR VOICES MADE A DIFFERENCE
March 29, 2010 (Washington, DC) - One month after
Oregon's legislature voted by landslide margins to end
the state's 87-year-old ban on religious dress for public
school teachers, The Sikh Coalition has learned that
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski will sign this historic
legislation into law.
For the first time in American history, observant Sikhs,
Jews, and Muslims won't have to sacrifice their articles
of faith in order to work as teachers in the public
schools of Oregon.
This victory would not have been possible without your
support. Sikh Coalition supporters sent almost 10,000
messages to Oregon legislators, urging them to end the
state's discriminatory ban on Sikh teachers.
Important Next Steps
Before the new law goes into effect in July 2011,
Oregon's administrative agencies will spend the next
year developing guidelines that spell out the new rights
and responsibilities of public school teachers in
Oregon. The Sikh Coalition will monitor this process
to ensure that the new guidelines protect the civil rights
of teachers. In the meantime, we strongly encourage
Oregon Sikhs to pursue teaching careers with pride.
The Cost of Change
Getting to this point took many strategic steps:
January 6, 2010 - The Sikh Coalition partners with
SALDEF and UNITED SIKHS on a joint action alert,
calling for an end to discrimination against Sikhs in
Oregon.
January 12, 2010 - The Sikh Coalition publishes an
essay about the Oregon issue on the website of the
American Constitution Society, a prominent national
policy organization.
February 5, 2010 - The Sikh Coalition rallies
seventeen (17) state and national organizations,
including the Anti-Defamation League and Becket
Fund for Religious Liberty, in support of ending
Oregon's discrimination against religious teachers.
The Sikh Coalition publishes profiles of accomplished
Sikh teachers from across the United States on its
website.
February 15, 2010 - The Sikh Coalition prepares
written testimony and educational material for the
Oregon legislature.
March 8, 2010 - The Sikh Coalition sends a letter to
Oregon's Governor urging him to end Oregon's
discriminatory ban on Sikh teachers.
The Sikh Coalition is thankful to Oregon House
Speaker Dave Hunt and his staff for taking up this
cause; to Portland attorney and activist Saba Ahmed
for her extraordinary leadership; and for the support of
countless partner organizations and community
members in Oregon and throughout the United States.
As always, The Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to stand
up for their rights and fearlessly maintain their articles
of faith.
[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
K. T. F. of N. A. Inc. 3524 Rocky Ridge Way, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762 10