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Sacramento, California, USA: In a
disturbing incident reminiscent of widespread discrimination in
2001, three eminent Sikh classical religious musicians, Gulbag
Singh, Davinder Singh, and Iqbal Singh were 'kicked off' a US
Airways flight, and were told that the US Airways pilot for the
plane was refusing to fly with them on board. UNITED SIKHS has
written to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and US
Airways, warning legal recourse against US Airways unless prompt
action is taken to redress the incident.
The incident occurred after Gulbag, Davinder, and Iqbal Singh
cleared Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security
and boarded US Airways flight no. 0493 on November 15th in
Sacramento, California, on their way to Salt Lake City, Utah.
The three were sitting together in the rear of the plane, in
their assigned seats. After having been on the plane for
approximately ten minutes, they were approached by one of the
ticket-reception desk workers and asked to exit the plane. While
none of the three adequately comprehend or speak English, the
group complied and exited the aircraft. When it became apparent
that the group was unable to converse with US Airways
representatives, a Panjabi interpreter was called to assist.
The Panjabi interpreter informed Iqbal Singh, on behalf of the
US Airways representatives, that the US Airways pilot for the
plane was refusing to fly if they were onboard the aircraft.
When Iqbal Singh asked why, the US Airways representatives were
unable to give a clear answer, and the interpreter went on to
persuade the three not to raise any objection because it could
lead to more problems. The group, having become concerned,
fearful, and worried about what had happened, took the only
option they were given, which was to stay the night in a hotel
and depart on a Delta Airlines flight the following morning to
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Commenting on the discriminatory and publicly humiliating
treatment, Gulbag Singh commented, "I would like to ask the
average American to think about how they would feel if they were
cleared by security, were sitting on their plane, and then were
asked to leave for no good reason. It is ridiculous that a
person should be submitted to such second class treatment."
(Translated from Panjabi)
In the formal complaint letter to US Airways, UNITED SIKHS
stressed the severity of the racial profiling and discriminatory
treatment, asked for an apology and compensation for the three
Sikhs, and offered training for US Airways staff. "Sikhs will
not stand to be discriminated against. There is no satisfactory
justification for US Airways to treat people in this way. This
is a clear violation of civil rights and they must take
immediate actions to address this issue," stated Harpreet Singh,
Legal Director, UNITED SIKHS.
In a separate incident on November 17, 2008 at Logan
International airport in Boston Massachusetts, a Sikh man,
Jaspal Singh, was sent to secondary screening where he was
subjected to humiliating treatment when a Transportation
Security Officer ( TSO) roughly searched his turban, almost
untying it, after threatening him with arrest. UNITED SIKHS has
written to and spoken with the TSA which is currently reviewing
video footage of the incident.
Due to the high volume of passengers during the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holiday season, you may face improper or
discriminatory treatment while traveling. Contact UNITED SIKHS
immediately to report your incident so that we can advocate the
incident to the TSA and rectify improper screenings at airports. |
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