May 24, 2003
Source: The Arizona Republic
On May 24, 2003 The Arizona Republic printed an editorial by Mantoshe Singh Devji stating that "it is this distinctive appearance which got Avtar Singh into trouble... 'They call me Saddam and bin Laden as I drive. Some truckers abuse me on the radio and make obscene gestures, but so far the harassment has been mostly verbal. I was in a shower at a truck stop one day, when a man in the next stall threatened me. Other truckers asked him to leave me alone...' How do we dispel the ignorance and prejudice that is being vented at the Sikh community? Once again, the Sikhs and the community at large will have to undertake a campaign of information, awareness and education."