Officials in U.S. and India Condemn Shooting of Sikh Man in Washington State
The South Asian Bar Association of British Columbia (“SABA BC”) stands in solidarity with the South Asian Bar Association of North America (“SABA North America”), and echoes its recent statements condemning President Trump’s new executive order, which is again seeking to halt immigration from several Muslim-majority countries and prevent refugees from entering the United States. We share SABA North America’s view that this new executive order is incompatible with the principles of justice and diversity, and we share our umbrella organization’s commitment to ensuring that everyone is free from discrimination and profiling.
Furthermore, SABA BC extends its most sincere condolences to the families and friends of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was murdered, and AlokMadasani, who was wounded on February 22, 2017 in Olathe, Kansas in an incident that has been reportedly tied to xenophobia, islamophobia, and racism. We echo SABA North America’s statement on this incident, which expressed grief, fear, disgust, and outrage at the “disheartening rise of animosity, hostility and hatred towards our communities”.
SABA BC also wishes a quick recovery to Deep Rai, who was shot on March 4, 2017 as he worked on his car in the driveway of his home inKent, Washington. The masked assailant approached Mr. Rai and told him to “go back to [his] own country” before shooting him in the arm and fleeing.
These incidents are but a few on the long list of crimes that have been committed in recent months against members of racial and religious minorities across North America. We continue to grieve for the victims of the Quebec City mosque attack, and were shocked to learn of the recent bomb threat received by Vancouver’s Jewish Community Centre.
SABA BC opposes all incidents of violence, and we urge our members to continue to speak out against divisive rhetoric and anti-immigrant sentiments. We stand with all communities affected by this increase in reported incidents of racially and religiously targeted acts of discrimination and violence, and urge our members to use their platforms to denounce such activities.