Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/default.asp

On June 7, 2003 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Bay area held the "first-ever training for peace officers in how to more sensitively work with the Sikh community as well as with Muslims and other groups that have experienced increased hostility and suspicion since Sept. 11." In attendance were "dozens of law enforcement personnel," along with Sikh men and women.

Source: KCRA Channel

http://www.thekcrachannel.com/holidays/2228205/detail.html

On June 3, 2003 KCRA Channel reported that "a special tribute took place in Sacramento County Memorial Day to honor the men and women who died fighting for U.S. freedom... The ceremony took place at Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery in Orangevale. It is the 36th year the ceremony has taken place... Diversity was a big theme at this year's parade. Representatives from the Sikh community...

Source: NCM

http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=0a2a2412a725ed3fbe2c81db163889d7

On May 29, 2003 NCM reported that "the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution last week recognizing the important role played in American society by immigrant communities some of whom have been under intense scrutiny by federal agencies since the 9/11 attacks. Civil liberties groups applauded the vote but urged the...

Source: Milford Daily News

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/local_regional/mill_memday05272003.htm

On May 26, 2003 the Milford Daily News reported that "about 600 people who gathered in the Millis High School [MA] auditorium yesterday to mark Memorial Day were asked to imagine they were on the parade route... The traditional ceremony began with a prayer offered by Kathy May of St. Paul's Church followed by the placing of the wreath by John...

Source: Appeal-Democrat

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/052603/5262003dlw26punjabi.shtml

On May 26, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "the [Punjabi American Heritage Festival at the Yuba-Sutter {CA} Fairgrounds] drew thousands of people, who either sat on the ground in the shade or stood under the trees listening to music. The Punjabi-American Heritage Society organized the event... Event-goers wandered among the vendors' displays and ate at food booths...

Source: The Arizona Republic

Source: ADL

http://www.adl.org/presrele/hatcr_51/4261_51.asp

On May 23, 2003 ADL reported that "The Arizona Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of Sikh truck driver Avtar Singh. According to reports, the 52-year-old Phoenix man, who wears a turban and untrimmed beard as part of his faith, was wounded by men who told him to...

Source: New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/85901p-78408c.html

On May 23, 2003 the New York Daily News reported that "as part of an ongoing effort to foster a closer relationship with the community, the commander of police Patrol Borough Queens South held a breakfast meeting yesterday with local leaders... Assistant Chief Thomas Lawless, the commander of Queens' eight southern precincts, fielded a wide range of questions from dozens of...

Source: Grist

http://www.gristmagazine.com/dearme/primlani052203.asp

On May 22, 2003 Grist reported that "Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency contacted us about the possibility of our conducting outreach to Sikh farmers in California's Yuba and Sutter counties. We followed up with a grant proposal and are now working with the USDA and Sikh farmers on lowering environmental and health risks... In retrospect, I can't thank the USDA...

Source: The Associated Press

Source: The Arizona Republic

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0521hatecrime21.html

On May 21, 2003 The Arizona Republic reported that "A Sikh man was shot Monday night in north Phoenix in what authorities are calling an unprovoked hate crime... Avtar Singh Cheira, a 52-year-old truck driver who lives in Phoenix, was shot twice by men in a red pickup near Ninth Street and Bell Road, police said. The Indian immigrant, who has lived in the United States for...

Source: The Star-Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/5813604.htm

On May 21, 2003 The Star-Telegram reported that "Wajahat Sayeed of Plano [TX] believes he was singled out by American Airlines because of his dark skin and beard, which he keeps full for religious reasons... Sayeed was escorted off American Flight 1048 at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in October, and searched and humiliated, he alleged in a complaint that motivated the U.S....

Source: The Associated Press

On May 20, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "a truck driver seriously wounded in a shooting was apparently targeted because of his religious faith, police said Tuesday... Avtar Singh, 52, an Indian immigrant, had parked his 18-wheeler late Monday in north Phoenix and called his son to pick him up from a few blocks away... While he was waiting, at least two young white men pulled up in a small red pickup truck and started yelling, Singh said at a Phoenix hospital Tuesday... The men opened fire, wounding Singh in the lower...

Source: The Associated Press

Source: Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/archives

On May 18, 2003 the Chicago Tribune reported that "as a Sikh growing up in the western Illinois farming community of Rochelle, Parvinder Thiara said he endured the stares and jeers of grade school classmates... Thiara, now 17, poured his energies into academics and became a straight-A student who earned a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam. He learned to play the saxophone and secured a coveted spot on a...