Following the 9/11 attacks, Sikhs in the United States have increasingly become targets of hate crimes, often due to being mistaken for Muslims. This troubling trend has persisted, with many Sikhs now fearing that the rise in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric could lead to further violence and discrimination. In response to these challenges, the UNITED SIKHS Connecticut Chapter sought to address both the fear within the Sikh community and the broader issues of xenophobia and discrimination.

The UNITED SIKHS Connecticut Chapter recognized the need to proactively combat the climate of fear and xenophobia affecting Sikhs and other marginalized communities. The goal was to foster community engagement, promote dialogue, and build bridges with residents to reduce the likelihood of hate-motivated crimes.

View the video of the first UNITED SIKHS’ “Feed the Hunger” intiative in Connecticut.

To achieve this, UNITED SIKHS organized a community food drive in Norwich, Connecticut. On February 12th, volunteers, primarily from the Sikh community, prepared and distributed home-cooked meals to 75 residents in need at Lee Memorial Chapel. The food drive was part of a broader initiative to reach out to fellow Americans, promote understanding, and spread the message of compassion and equality central to Sikh teachings. Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, the organizer of the Connecticut Chapter, emphasized the importance of using food as a means to connect people and initiate dialogues that might otherwise not occur. Additionally, UNITED SIKHS, as part of their humanitarian efforts, planned to continue similar outreach programs in different towns and cities, sharing the message of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Next event at Lee Memorial Chapel is the presentation by UNITED SIKHS

The food drive was a success, providing much-needed meals to local residents and fostering positive community interactions. By increasing community engagement through these proactive steps, we aim to reduce discrimination and hate crimes against Sikhs and other marginalized groups. UNITED SIKHS continues to conduct similar drives in other cities, to spread the message of love, compassion, and equality.