Sikhs Take to the Streets to Demand Dignity and Respect at European Airports

Sikhs Take to the Streets to Demand Dignity and Respect at European Airports

BIRMINGHAM, England, September 20, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

Thousands of Sikhs will today take part in a simultaneous demonstration
in four European capitals to protest against what they say is a growing
trend of intimidation and disrespect of their faith at European airports.

The UK demonstration will commence in Parliament Square in London at
midday, 25th September and will be attended by community leaders and Sikhs
from all over the country. Similar gatherings are being held in Brussels,
Rome and Madrid.

In recent months, there have been increasing problems at Italian
airports for Sikhs travelling from the UK being asked in very impolite and
often belligerent terms to remove their turbans, after having successfully
passed through security scanners.

Abinash Singh and his wife Balraj from Hayes recently appeared on the
Sikh Channel telling of their degrading experience at an Italian airport.
The officials were not willing to take part in any dialogue but forced the
removal of their turbans. Abinash said "after the contribution of the Sikhs
in the world wars, after the positive contribution made to European society
by Sikhs, this treatment is deeply upsetting"

Sikhs argue there is no justified security reason for removal of turbans
which have successfully passed through scanners and feel victimised as a
result of the ongoing 9/11 backlash against minorities.

The campaign to promote fair treatment for Sikhs is being co-ordinated
by the Sikh Channel, a cable TV station based in Birmingham and London which
broadcasts to an international audience.

A Famous Sikh said, "Reports from across Europe indicate that our Sikh
brothers are being forced to remove their turbans at airport security. This
is a totally unacceptable infringement of our faith, it's also totally
unnecessary as a turban is no different than any other item of clothing in
relation to a metal detector or x-ray machine."

Campaigners are calling on national governments in Europe to investigate
the treatment of Sikhs at airports and make representations to their
European partners where Sikhs are found to have been abused.

Sikh celebrities will be joined by the Labour MP for Wolverhampton Pat
McFadden in addressing the demonstration.

Note to editors: The demonstration will include army personnel and the
world's oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh

Source: Sikh Channel

For further information contact DS Ball +44(0)7973-121-587

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