North Carolina Congress Members' Statements Draw Criticism

February 6, 2003

Source: Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force

http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/press/pressdetail.asp?pressid=31

On February 6, 2003 Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force issued a press release stating that "Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy group, demanded Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) explain his view that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II was justified... In a letter to Rep. Coble, SMART stated that making such statements while chairing the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, is insensitive and grossly inappropriate... 'Making such callous statements in an already racially-charged environment is careless, inexcusable and is a recipe for racial discord, especially coming from a Congressional leader who is heading the fight against crime and terrorism,' said Navtej S. Khalsa, SMART executive director."