Senator Durbin Sends Support to Sikh Community

On Tuesday, May 20th, the office of Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) offered support to the Sikh community in the face of the May 19th shooting of Avtar Singh Cheira in Phoenix, AZ. Cheira, who wears a turban and beard in keeping with the Sikh faith, was shot by unknown suspects while waiting for his son to drive him home from work. Cheira is currently in the hospital, listed in fair condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Responding to requests from the local Sikh community and national Sikh organizations, the Senator’s office expressed their sympathy to the family and the Sikh community. In addition, Senator Durbin's office requested that Sikhs nationwide contact their Congressional Representatives to support the Hate Crime Resolution introduced to the floor of the Legislature this month by the Senator.

The Resolution condemns hate crimes against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans and South-Asian Americans.

Senator Durbin introduced the legislation to the Senate on May 6, 2003 along with Senators John Sununu (R-NH) and Russ Feingold (D-WI). On the day the legislation was introduced, Senator Durban made the following statement.

“Major combat operations in Iraq may have ended, but unfortunately hate crimes against Arab Americans, Muslims, South-Asian Americans and Sikhs continue. There is never a place for this kind of hatred in this country, but now, more than ever, we simply cannot allow prejudice to divide our nation. These communities are an important part of America, and they must be protected.”

For more information about the legislation, click here.

National Sikh organizations are continuing to work together to support the family and the Phoenix Sikh community. To date, there have no been no suspects taken into custody for the shooting. On the evening of the shooting, a Prayer vigil was coordinated by the Arizona Interfaith movement. Over a hundred people from every faith in the Phoenix valley attended the event and the group prayed for Avtar Singh, his family and the larger Sikh community.