TESTIMONY
Amreen Bhasin, Staff Attorney, Sikh Coalition on Addressing Hate Crimes Against Elderly Sikh Men
2:11:42
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134 sec
Amreen Bhasin, representing the Sikh Coalition, addresses the issue of hate crimes targeting elderly Sikh men in New York City.
- Bhasin presents five recent cases of assault and verbal abuse against Sikh men, highlighting the severity of hate crimes in the community.
- The testimony underscores the intersection of age, immigration, and violence, marking a significant concern within New York City.
- Recommendations to the council include ensuring translation services for law enforcement investigating hate crimes, improving security for Sikh places of worship, and promoting inclusive education.
- Bhasin expresses the Sikh Coalition's willingness to partner with New York City schools and the council to facilitate more inclusive environments and combat hate.
Amreen Bhasin
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Excuse me.
2:11:43
Cherish Hudson's and Avelis and committee members.
2:11:46
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today.
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My name is Irene Bassine, and I serve as a staff attorney to the SIC Coalition, the country's largest 6 civil rights organization.
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I come before you today to discuss the targeting of 6 and hate crimes.
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5 cases in the past 2 years alone have targeted older or elderly sick men.
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In January 2022, a fifty eight year old sick taxi driver was attacked, struck in the head, and turbine, called turban people and told to go back to your country at JFK Airport.
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In April of 2022, normal saying a seven year old sick man was assaulted while on an early morning walk in the Richmond Hill Neighborhood of Queens.
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Less than 10 days later, 2 additional men, Glosar Singh, 45, and Sajans Singh, 58 were both attacked and robbed in the same neighborhood.
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And in October of 2023, sixty six year old Jasmer Singh, succumbed to his injuries after being assaulted following a car accident.
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During the course of the attack, he was called turban man by his assailant.
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Clearly, there's a significant issue at the intersection of aging, immigration, and violent hate crimes in our city.
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Our recommendations to address this urgent issue are as follows.
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First, we encourage the council to work with local law enforcement to ensure that translation services are available to all officers who are investigating crimes that may have a hate or bias component.
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Too often details that may shed light on a perpetrators motive are literally lost in translation when survivors or eyewitnesses have limited English proficiency.
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2nd, the security of Sigurdwaras and other houses of worship remains a critical issue.
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City Council members have funding for capital investments, and that funding could be put towards strengthening infrastructure.
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For example, security cameras, that makes the areas around a given house of worship safer.
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And finally, we are broadly supportive of legislative efforts to compel more inclusive education in New York City.
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Whether that be through inclusive curricula measures, professional development for educators focused on cultural awareness or bio space bullying or other means.
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We are eager to be a resource and a partner for both New York City Schools And the Council.
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Thank you for your consideration for the opportunity to week today.