Cops humiliate, arrest man for being Sikh. Judge says, Remove that rag

[green73]

Today, in a letter to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the ACLU and United Sikhs called on state officials to investigate the harassment of a Sikh commercial truck driver pulled over early this year for a flat tire. After detaining Mr. Jageet Singh in January as he passed through Mississippi, the officers called him a "terrorist" and harassed and humiliated him because of his appearance and religious beliefs. As a devout Sikh, Mr. Singh wears a turban and carries a kirpan. A kirpan is a small, spiritual sword that is sheathed and sewn to the waistband. It is designed and worn as an article of faith, much as a cross is worn by devout Christians.

Contending, wrongly, that his kirpan was illegal, the officers demanded that Mr. Singh remove it. When Mr. Singh explained that he was a Sikh and that the kirpan was a sacred religious article, the officers laughed at him and mocked his religious beliefs. One officer declared that all Sikhs are "depraved" and "terrorists." They continued to taunt him, and forced Mr. Singh to circle his truck with his hands on his turban while they searched the vehicle. Finally, not content with this humiliation, they arrested him, claiming that Mr. Singh had refused to obey an officer's lawful command.

Mr. Singh's ordeal did not end with the MDOT. When he returned to Mississippi on March 26, 2013, for his court date at the Pike County Justice Court, he once again suffered humiliation, harassment, and discrimination because of his religious beliefs. Waiting for his attorney in the back of the courtroom, he was stunned when four Highway Patrol officers approached him and ordered him to leave the courtroom. The officers stated that Judge Aubrey Rimes had ordered them to eject Mr. Singh from the courtroom because he did not like Mr. Singh's turban. Moreover, they told Mr. Singh that Judge Rimes would punish him if he failed to remove his headdress.

When Mr. Singh's attorney went to Judge Rimes's chambers to inquire about the matter, he readily confirmed that he had expelled Mr. Singh from the courtroom because of his turban. He further stated that Mr. Singh would not be allowed to re-enter the courtroom unless he removed "that rag" from his head and threatened to call Mr. Singh last on the docket if he continued to wear the religious headdress.

As an observant Sikh, Mr. Singh wears a turban at all times as a reminder and public declaration of his connection to God. For him, the turban is an inseparable part of his Sikh religious identity: Like all Sikhs, Mr. Singh believes that a man cannot be considered a Sikh if he does not wear the turban and that unwrapping his turban and exposing his "naked" head in public is sacrilegious and shameful.

Mr. Singh respectfully declined to remove his turban. As threatened, Judge Rimes forced Mr. Singh and his attorney to wait for several hours until every other litigant had been heard before allowing him into the courtroom.

cont.
https://www.aclu.org/blog/religion-belief-racial-justice/judge-sikh-man-remove-rag-or-go-jail

[phill4paul]

The only depraved and terrorist actions committed were by the "Just-Us" officials. Get a rope.

[69360]

Sikhs really do get a raw deal having nothing to do with Arab terrorists.

[ClydeCoulter]

Sikhs really do get a raw deal having nothing to do with Arab terrorists.

Even Arabs get a raw deal having nothing to do with Arab terrorists.

[enhanced_deficit]

Even current "liberal" selected/elected President of US is afraid to wear Sikh headgear these days apparently, so is Obama helping reinforce such dumb stereotypes by participating in them?

Obama cancels Sikh temple visit over 'Muslim headscarf' fears | The ... (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/20/obama-cancels-headscarf-fears/)
www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/20/obama-cancels-headscarf-fears/‎
Oct 20, 2010 - Obama cancels Sikh temple visit over 'Muslim headscarf' fears ... sources said Wednesday, over apparent concerns that photos of him with his ...





Even Arabs get a raw deal having nothing to do with Arab terrorists.

Even some Jews get a raw deal having nothing to do with Arab (or Jewish or any other collection of) terrorists:

Humiliation at 33,000 feet: Top British architect tells of terror 'arrest ... (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/humiliation-at-33000-feet-top-british-architect-tells-of-terror-arrest-418331.html)
www.independent.co.uk (http://www.independent.co.uk) › News (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/) › World (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/) › Americas (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/)‎

To the applause of fellow passengers, the Jewish designer was escorted from a New York flight as a potential bomber. Because, he tells Sophie Goodchild, of his holiday tan

Earlier this month, a plane from London to Washington DC made an emergency landing, escorted by fighters, after passengers alerted crew to the behaviour of a female traveller. It later emerged she had suffered a panic attack. And in August, two innocent Asian students were escorted off a flight from Malaga to Manchester because other passengers thought they were terrorists.
In Mr Stein's case, he was pounced on as the crew and other travellers looked on. The drama unfolded less than an hour into the flight. As he settled down with a book and a ginger ale, the father-of-three was grabbed from behind and held in a head-lock.

"This guy just told me his name was Michael Wilk, that he was with the New York Police Department, that I'd been acting suspiciously and should stay calm. I could barely find my voice and couldn't believe it was happening," said Mr Stein.

[presence]

'Merika

[tod evans]

If a Nun is permitted to wear her habit, or a Jew his Yarmulke then this fellow has a legitimate complaint, if not I don't see it..

I'm sure there is other religious headgear I can't think of but my point is goose/gander..

[Czolgosz]

'murica

[ClydeCoulter]

If a Nun is permitted to wear her habit, or a Jew his Yarmulke then this fellow has a legitimate complaint, if not I don't see it..

I'm sure there is other religious headgear I can't think of but my point is goose/gander..

I see, he just doesn't have his ducks in row. :D

[presence]

If a Nun is permitted to wear her habit, or a Jew his Yarmulke then this fellow has a legitimate complaint, if not I don't see it..

I'm sure there is other religious headgear I can't think of but my point is goose/gander..



Personally, I take that notion one step further and if a Blood gangster wants to wear a red bandana in court he should damn well have the religious freedom to do so. I detest this concept of state sanctioned religions; please choose A, B or C... sorry we're not accepting Sikhs today.

[Paulbot99]

Fools. Discrimination againt one religion precedes discrimination against the rest. Hopefully, this Sikh will get justice.

[Mani]

I'm Sikh, and I find this treatment by the Officers and the Judge disgusting.

I'm not full fledged in that I don't wear a turban or carry the kirpan, but I have family and friends who do. For those that do follow the religion or who are Baptized Sikhs (who have taken Amrit), they have taken a serious Vow to follow their religion accordingly and follow with them the 5 symbols of their religion, two of them being their uncut hair in a turban and the Kirpan. Sikh's take their uncut hair tied in their turban very seriously. In the old days when India was invaded, many Sikhs were slaughtered because they refused to cut their hair and betray their faith. It's not just like a baseball cap they are wearing, it's not for style points.

I've met muslim women who wear a Hijab (the head scarf) and people of Jewish Faith who wear Yarmulke, and from what they told me, they are also required wear those at all times. It would be an extreme insult or shame to try to make them remove it. In the cases with the people I have met who follow their religion and wear their appropriate headdress they always seemed very kind and understanding and sensitive to each other.


I guess I'm of the Libertarian philosophy, in let people do what they want, follow their religion and practice their faith, as long as they are not harming others.


This seems to be a pretty cut and dry case of religious discrimination by both the officers and the judge. I see this is just another example of the first amendment under attack. Arrested because he wore a turban, then thrown out of court for wearing a turban, and then threatened he would be punished by the Judge for having a turban.



What is left of the constitution anyway? I've seen constant examples of violations of our rights.


Has it come to the point where, "If you don't fit the Profile of Murika, you are going to suffer."

Profile meaning: religious affiliation, political affiliation, behavior, beliefs, attitude, etc.


Has it come to the point where you must believe that the state is always correct, guns are evil, the state needs to take care of us, never question the state, you are allowed to be in one of the 2 parties, as long as you "go along with the party lines" and not question them.

Your rights in 2013:
You have freedom of speech, as long as it does not criticize the government or the Military.
You have the right to your religious beliefs, as long as it conforms to what the state feels is normal.
You have the right to peacefully assemble...If you have a permit.
You have freedom of the press, as long as it is not saying anything bad about the government, you can't discuss our dirty secrets, it's CONFIDENTIAL!
You have the right to own a gun, but we actually prefer you don't...it's just easier that way.
You have the right to avoid miltia taking over your home, but hey if the cops really really really need your home. Well they can, because they are cops.
You have the right to privacy...But the internet doesn't count. And if you get on a plane...That doesn't count either...Or a sporting event, or concert...or driving down the road..Ok stop bitching...We'll leave your home alone....Unless a cop smells weed or thinks your flushing stuff down the toilet....and...ah nevermind....They're cops, let them in, stop being a douche.

Fuck this list...What do you need all these rights for anyway? If you haven't done anything wrong, you shouldn't be worried about your rights. Are you some kind of terrorist asking for all these rights? Someone lock this guy up!

[Scrapmo]

Your rights in 2013:
You have freedom of speech, as long as it does not criticize the government or the Military.
You have the right to your religious beliefs, as long as it conforms to what the state feels is normal.
You have the right to peacefully assemble...If you have a permit.
You have freedom of the press, as long as it is not saying anything bad about the government, you can't discuss our dirty secrets, it's CONFIDENTIAL!
You have the right to own a gun, but we actually prefer you don't...it's just easier that way.
You have the right to avoid miltia taking over your home, but hey if the cops really really really need your home. Well they can, because they are cops.
You have the right to privacy...But the internet doesn't count. And if you get on a plane...That doesn't count either...Or a sporting event, or concert...or driving down the road..Ok stop bitching...We'll leave your home alone....Unless a cop smells weed or thinks your flushing stuff down the toilet....and...ah nevermind....They're cops, let them in, stop being a douche.

Fuck this list...What do you need all these rights for anyway? If you haven't done anything wrong, you shouldn't be worried about your rights. Are you some kind of terrorist asking for all these rights? Someone lock this guy up!

You sure you dont want to move back to the US, Mani?

[Mani]

You sure you dont want to move back to the US, Mani?


LOL, doesn't seem like the country I was born and raised in anymore. I was the type of guy that grew up feeling proud and emotional everytime I heard the national anthem. I was the type of guy that felt guilty growing up that I didn't volunteer for the armed forces because I didn't feel I was giving enough to my country. I was the type of guy that grew up in the Midwest in a household where only buying American Cars was acceptable... When I finally bought a non-american car about 15 years ago, after I moved to FL, I was the first in the family to do so, my parents were so disappointed in me, it was like I stabbed them in the back (and we are not in the car business or from a GM town or anything....it was just the right thing to do...) Now the whole family owns non-american cars, but everyone now knows an American made car doesn't have the same meaning anymore.



Maybe because I was a first generation born in the US that made me so proud and happy to be an American and so proud of the constitution and what it stands for.

Maybe that's why I'm also so upset and critical now more than ever, I grew up being so proud of my country and the ideals for which it stands, and ready to fight and die for it. In 2006 and 2007 when I started looking into some things and got introduced to the Scam of the Federal Reserve and the Income Tax and down the rabbit hole I went. I Met Ron Paul late 2006 before he was even running for President. The more TRUTHS I learned, the more upset I became. I love this country a lot, so it really really bothers me when I see the constitution shredded and seeing that freedom is more of an illusion than a reality.

And then it really hit me when I moved out of the U.S. I saw the country from the outside looking in and realized, we are bum fuck backwards in a lot of ways.

The crazy Police stories and SWAT stories we read on this forum every day, that's 3rd world country stuff, in fact, a lot of it is worse then 3rd world or communist country stuff. And YET the people in the US are able to justify it over and over again. What world are these people living in??? If these same exact stories are turned around using Chinese names and Chinese authorities or Russian names or middle eastern names, these statist apologists would be screaming at how horrible and disgusting the authorities are, and what terrible human right violations are occurring there. But because they are blinded by it being, in good Ole USA, the victims must have somehow DESERVED it.

I still Love my country very much, but I'm humbled and ashamed by what I now know. I'm still donating and ready to help the further the cause, but I don't deny, I am at the moment happier being on the outside, I do think Hong Kong has a more laissez-faire attitude and I do feel more free. Especially without roided up cops trolling the streets. It's about as close as you get to a free market, and it seems to work, and everybody pretty much leaves you alone and let's you do your thing. It's not perfect, and it certainly has its share of problems, but it seems to work.

[osan]

Our devolution appears nearing completion. Short of mandating the rape of children, I am not sure what new trails may remain to us.

[Snew]

disgusting! :mad: