California marks November as Sikh month

California

marked the month-long celebration

Sikh Awareness Month

(SAAM) celebrations for the fifth year in a row.
With Donald Trump's the US President-elect, this year's awareness month could potentially be the most important SAAM to date, as the future of Sikh Americans hangs in the balance, said Sikh Coalition community development manager Harjit Kaur. She said minority communities across the nation have experienced an uptick in hate crimes, bullying, and discrimination as a result of the current political climate.

A series of Sikh-related events were organised through the month, from local activities in schools to collaborating with the basketball team, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sikh Coalition community development manager Harjit Kaur explains how it all came about. “Since November 2010, California community leaders have engaged with legislators to recognize the contribution of Sikh Americans to California and to provide a platform to create aware ness about Sikhs in California educational institutions and the community .“ Harjit elaborates, “This year, Assembly member Jim Cooper presented Dr

Onkar Singh Bindra

and me with the state member resolution celebrating

Sikh Awareness and Appreciation

Month. California state superintendent of public instruction Tom Torlakson also recognised November as the awareness month for California's public schools. Sikh Awareness and Appreciation resolutions have been passed in

Yuba City

, Fresno, San Jose, Bakersfield, Fremont, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara, along with numerous school districts across the state.

The Sikh Coalition, along with many volunteers, has delivered presentations to hundreds of Californians across the state in classrooms and local libraries.

The Sikh Coalition also co-hosted a Sikh Awareness and Appreciation game with the Los Angeles Clippers.Over 350 Sikh Americans attended the LA Clippers game alongside the other 19,000 spectators. It also featured the US national anthem by Raaginder `Violinder' Singh on the violin as well as the Los Angeles Sikh Boy Scouts of America colour guard, and half-time entertainment by Da Real Punjabiz.

Harjeet said they work tirelessly to ensure that SAAM is used as a platform to meaningfully engage with legislators, educators, and community members across the state to address these issues. “This year, after helping to protect Sikh history in California in July , the Sikh Coalition secured safe passage of AB-2845, a groundbreaking new anti-bullying law in California in September“.