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Senate resolution condemns violence against Sikhs

As many as 32 Senators have submitted a resolution calling for protection of the 'civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans'.

Democrat Senator Richard Durbin, representing Illinois, introduced the Senate Concurrent Resolution in the Senate, which referred it to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. w

The resolution condemns 'bigotry and any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans'.

It calls upon local and federal law enforcement agencies to 'work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans, including Sikh-Americans', and to 'prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes'.

The resolution stems from a series of attacks on Sikhs following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The attackers took the simplistic and ill-informed view that all who wear turban and have a beard must be supporters of Osama bin Laden, who wears a turban and has a beard.

The consequences of such ignorance have been tragic.

"Unfortunately, in the aftermath of Sept 11, there are those, who in misguided anger and fear, turned on their neighbours and fellow Americans," Durbin said in remarks introducing the measure.

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