Arabs and Sikhs Guard Against the Threat Within

May 1, 2004

Source: The Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/9134319p-10059952c.html

On May 1, 2004 The Sacramento Bee reported, "Since the terrorist attacks against Washington and New York in 2001, thousands of American citizens have found themselves victimized by fellow Americans who thought they looked 'too Arab.' Who thought they seemed 'suspicious.' Who thought they didn't belong. Dalvir Sangha is one of these Americans, a quiet 46-year-old postal worker from Gold River who believes his only crime was wearing a turban and doing a job he loved. Sangha, a Sikh from northern India who became a U.S. citizen in 1989, testified before lawmakers this week about the shooting that ended the life he knew and began one wracked with pain. In July 2002, Sangha was delivering mail in Orange-vale when a resident poked a pellet gun out his window and shot him in the head, just behind his right ear.... Many others feel the same. Which is why state lawmakers turned their attention this week to the thorny issue of civil rights in this era of heightened security."