Posted on 09/28/2013 11:21:13 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
On Jan. 16, Jagjeet Singh, 49, a long-haul truck driver from California on his way to pick up chickens for delivery in Texas, was pulled over for driving with a flat tire in Pike County, Miss.
Officers at a weigh station operated by the Department of Transportation demanded that Singh turn over his "kirpan," a 3-inch ceremonial blade carried by all Sikh men and frequently sewed into the waistband of their trousers, according to the ACLU.
"Contending, wrongly, that his kirpan was illegal, the DOT officer demanded that Mr. Singh turn it over. Mr. Singh tried to explain that he was a Sikh and that the kirpan was a sacred religious article," the ACLU wrote in a letter of complaint to the DOT. "In response, however, the officer laughed at him and mocked his religious beliefs.
"One officer declared that all Sikhs are depraved and 'terrorists,'" the ACLU said in its letter. DOT officers then arrested Singh for "refusing to obey a command" when he would not turn over his kirpan to police, according to the ACLU.
-snip-
Singh appeared in court on March 26, when, his lawyers said, he was further demeaned by Pike County Judge Aubrey Rimes.
"Court officers told him he had to leave because he was wearing a turban and the judge wanted it removed. He was intimidated and horrified," said the ACLU's Atwood.
Rimes allegedly called Singh's turban "that rag" and insisted he remove it or his case would be called last on the docket after everyone else in the courtroom had left. Singh refused to remove the turban and was called last.
According to the ACLU, Singh pleaded guilty to the charge of refusing to obey a command and paid a fine.
(Excerpt) Read more at gma.yahoo.com ...
Yes if true, it is amazing that this poor guy could be treated that way in a court of law in this country.
Unfortunately, this pig escaped the death penalty.
You knew or should have quickly learned that the customs of people of USA are not the same as your home country. If you do not like them, do not come here. If already here, abide by our customs or leave. Do not expect peoples here to change to be just like where you come from.
The trial court tried. Bleeping appellate judges.
He didn’t break the law. The cops and judge bullied him because they didn’t like the look of him.
Ahh said,,Remove THAT RAG from yo haid! Yes, he’s guilty of extreme political incorrectness, but two things to keep in mind; #1. If you have come into America anytime after 9/11 as an adult, you have to know how many Americans recall that incident and all connected with it, to this day. #2. In the age where a six year old girl gets suspended from kindergaten just for TALKING ABOUT her Hello Kitty Bubble Gun, is it really such a shock that people get nervous seeing other folks walking around with a shiny little dagger clipped to their belts? My advice for the Sikh’s is to conform a little bit more. We need your skills and talents, but why not make it easier on yourself and your American Hosts? Now if you wish to wear your Kirpan during ceremonies in full regalia, go for it. Please be patient with us in regards to wearing the turban in any situation.
That cop was representative of American customs?
Lol. I don’t think so.
Disconcerting.
This is unacceptable. The cops and judge are wrong here.
Sikhs are good people from my experience. They do not like Muslims.
I daresay the coppers that gave him a hard time were nowhere near as bad as he would have gotten back home from what I hear, so I really do not feel all that bad about the razzing he went through. Having had a LEO threaten to arrest Me on "suspicion of being a drug dealer" if I did not move along, I doubt I will be breaking out the hankie any time soon over his "mistreatment".
Cops single you out for not looking like everyone else all the time. If you do not believe this, try driving without a seatbelt anywhere these days and watch how quick they pounce. As far as being 'bullied' ;p *laugh* any one of several instructors I had during boot camp in the military would have been doubled up laughing at the accusation that this was bullying of any type.
Just wait until he accidentally walks in the wrong neighborhood sometime wearing either blue or read headgear when it's the opposing gang's territory and see how some real 'bullying' quickly occurs.
*snicker* You and I obviously have had quite dissimilar experiences with cops it would appear.
How about ceasing from making excuses for evil?
Just wait until he accidentally walks in the wrong neighborhood sometime wearing either blue or read headgear when it’s the opposing gang’s territory and see how some real ‘bullying’ quickly occurs.
Many Sikhs conceal carry.
Make that... how about ceasing from making excuses for ignorance and evil.
Maybe Sikhs should carry around little pamphlets to pass out to these ignoramuses, stating “Ethnic Distinctions 101: We Sikhs over here are fiercely patriotic Americans and not Muslim terrorists.”
Perhaps an addition to the Bill of Rights is in order. Not only can a person be free to practice his religion, he must also be permitted to disregard reasonable rules (like taking one’s hat off in court) that are in conflict with such religion.
Understand that it is not acceptable to wear certain apparel at times and grow a thicker skin so you don't appear to be a total nancyboy. Expect to have to remove your headgear BEFORE you appear in court. Full face veils and burkhas are also not allowed, so don't go on about how you are being so unfairly singled out. It will not do.
Why should it be illegal for us not to obey any command given by an officer? If they commanded we strip naked and stand on our head, do we have to obey that one too? The officers should be disciplined for issuing frivolous or unlawful commands.
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