Source: The Washington Times
On April 8, 2002, The Washington Times reported that "hundreds of Sikhs from across the [Washington D.C.] region gathered yesterday at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate Khalsa Day, their new year festival, and many of them had one question on their minds: What do we do to be recognized as good Americans?... After September 11, Sikhs suffered tremendously in terms of racial profiling, beatings and harassments and in some instances murder... 'How do we let Americans know what our identity is so this doesn't ever happen again'... said Sukhveen Kaur Ajrawat, who has lived in this country for 22 years... Dr. Raminder Singh Dhadli, who traveled from his home in Troy, Mich., to attend the rally, said that apart from their appearance, Sikhs are like any persons who have strong love for humanity. 'Sikhs are freedom lovers and lovers of America' he said."