We’ve been posting about the issue a lot lately, and it’s simply because it’s news that has  hit us all pretty hard.  It was first reported to us by MC G-Singh who let us know;

“The ONLY Sikh Gurudwara in Austin, TX was taken to court by a couple because they thought it was an eye sore and thought it would lower their property value. I can’t believe they got their way in court, and the Austin Gurudwara will now be torn down! PLEASE help save the Gurudwara! Please Donate whatever you can and spread the word!!”

He, then led the awareness campaign with the release of conscious hip hop track, which has since been remixed by  numerous other artists after being inspired by his original.

On our end we’ve being doing our part, trying to join the fight by sharing any relevant tracks as they come out and releasing any new information we get.

With that in mind, below we have the following.

• A compiled a list of three tracks that have been released including a solidarity track from Young Fateh, one of the organizers in Toronto with Sikh Activist Network.
• Legal documents outlining what exactly is going on
• Ways you can help spread awareness and donate.

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MP3′s

MC G Singh – Tear Me Down (Seven20Twenty10)

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Young Fateh – Can’t Tear It Down (SAN.TDOT REMIX)

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Tha SuspeKT – Tear Me Down (REMIX)

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LEGAL DOCUMENTS

• Original Court Ruling – April 2009
• Appeal Ruling – July 2010

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AWARENESS AND DONATIONS

• Join the  Facebook Group
• Join the SAN Fanpage for continuous updates.
• Change Your Display Picture to the Image Above
• Donate Here

Jul 21, 2010 11:48 ET

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – July 21, 2010) – The Word Sikh Organization of Canada is disappointed that both Stephen Harper’s government and Michael Ignatieff’s Opposition Liberals have failed to provide proof of the so-called Sikh extremism they claim is on the rise in Canada.

The WSO, a human rights group, requested both politicians provide evidence to back-up their claims that there is growing radicalism among Canadian Sikhs. The Prime Minister’s Office responded with a form letter stating that the WSO’s “comments have been noted,” while Mr. Ignatieff’s office did not even acknowledge receipt of the letter.

“Canadian Sikhs are experiencing a backlash because of these reckless claims made by elected officials. And yet neither the Prime Minister’s Office, nor the man who wants to replace him in the job, can be bothered to furnish us with evidence, ” says WSO Senior Policy Advisor Gian Singh Sandhu. “I think they owe every Canadian evidence that what they’re saying is true.”

WSO Canada President Prem Singh Vinning adds that the baseless comments repeated in news media are encouraging attacks on a visible minority and he fears there could be serious consequence for Canada’s more than 400,000 Sikhs. The WSO has requested that these politicians either provide proof of what they’re claiming, or correct the public record.

“The hateful comments we’re seeing online are particularly ugly and they’re escalating. And they often follow news stories in which these baseless claims are made,” Mr. Vinning says. “I think it’s time for the politicians making these claims to take some responsibility for their comments and prove that what they’re saying is true.”

The WSO also notes that Vancouver Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh has been quoted in Canadian and Indian media claiming radicalism is on the rise and that even ‘peaceful campaigns’ organized by Sikhs are suspect:

“(Extremism) is much more entrenched, much more sophisticated (than it was in 1985)…it is much more moderate in appearance than you might otherwise see,” Mr. Dosanjh told the Toronto Sun. “People run peaceful campaigns and behind the peaceful campaigns is the evil design to hurt other people and to dismember other countries.”

During his speech at an Air India memorial Stephen Harper called on Canadians to marginalize “extremists…who seek to import the battles of India’s past.”

But Mr. Sandhu says the Sikh community has no idea who these supposed extremists are, and doubts they even exist.
“If Mr. Harper has evidence of terrorist activities, we would like him to make it public, otherwise his words taint the entire community unfairly.”

As Mr. Ignatieff’s bus tour makes its way across Canada and Prime Minister Harper attends various events over the summer, WSO asks Sikh Canadians to ask both leaders for evidence supporting their comments about the so-called rise in extremism in the community.

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The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status.

Please visit www.worldsikh.ca or www.twitter.com/worldsikhorg for further information.

Shout Outs to Young Fateh, for taking the time to do something so positive for his community and representing Toronto, SAN and the community from up North in Solidarity.

In case you missed our earlier post with the Original track from MC G-Singh (click here to view), we’ll brief you again.

The Inspiration

A Texas Appeals Court has ruled that the new structure of the Austin Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) that has been in operation since 2003 be torn down!

A couple who lived near by argued against the construction of the Sikh Temple on the grounds that it would be an eye-sore and a traffic magnate, and would lower their property’s value.

Chorus and Song inspired by MC G Singh.

MP3 and Lyrics

Mp3 Dowload: http://www.mediafire.com/?r5eecrdtda2…

They can tear down a building/ but cant knock down our spirits/
they was scared before – but now its time to fear it
Austin Texas / We cant just let them Reck This
Gurujis HOme/ It up to us to protect it

Everybody talking Change/ land of the free
but Its a Damn Shame/ no one doin a damn thang
where da A.K’s Lets Jus Reign on they Parade/
They trynna make us fade/ lets go on a crusade/

Christopher Columbus ———- robbed all the natives/
Declared it his own/ then brought over slave ships/
history repeats/ this is kinda like the same shit
the Couple didnt like it/ tomorrow its the nation/

“Sikhs need get out”… forced assimilation/
we need to fight back/ for our temples salvation/
government racist/ This is discrimination/
i put my hand out/ For your collaboration/

Sikh Activist, we in affliation
shaheed baba deep singh is my inspiration/
need come together for our generation
They already tried to knock out our popultion

the 50 stars, Blue star operations
they didnt think twice/ no hesitation
skip the starbucks, give that as a donation
before my holy temple comes to termination

Hook:
They Cant tear it down
Its the only one left standing in that town
they cant tear it down
they trynna bulldoze the shrine
We need ta fight back, its about time..

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WHAT: Simran In The Park
WHEN: 6-7pm
WHERE: Community Park @ approximately 630 Kaiser Drive, Mississauga.

It has come to our attention that the sole Gurudwara in Austin, Texas has received orders from US courts to be torn down.  The decision comes after a couple from the area argued that the Gurudwara adversely impacted their property value.  In a country that prides itself on freedom, The USA has failed the Sikh community and illustrated the value of money over the fundamental right to assemble and practice one’s faith.

The decision will be appealed shortly, in the meantime MC G-Singh an artist from the impacted region has released the following track as a community call out for monetary, artistic and moral support.

A Toronto Solidarity Track will be released shortly.

To learn more please visit www.savegurudwara.com and read the following statement from the aforemention website below.

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This Saturday July 17th, The Sikh Activist Network will be a supporting and joining numerous organizations including:

• OntarioSikhs
• SikhVibes
• and KaursUnited Toronto

For the first ever GENDER VIOLENCE SEMINER followed by an all night keertan (Rainbhayee).

The Network encourages everyone to attend both events and support the effort by  Young Sikh women and men to facilitate and encourage greater discourse around such sensitive issues in Canadian Society.

For More Information please view the poster for details.

DETAILS

4:30pm-5:30pm – Gender Violence Seminar
5:30pm-2:00am – Raensbhayee Kirtan

@ DIXIE GURDWARA – HALL 5

After convening on Wednesday the Jathedars (servants) of Akal Takht (the eternal throne) of Sikhs declared November 1984 a “Genocide”.  The decision came 26 years after the Genocide took place in Delhi, during which systematic killings took place of Sikhs at the behest of the Government, Congress Party politicians and the police.

The Akal Takht issued a Hukamnamma stating that every Sikhs should now refer to this period as a “Genocide” and that the media should follow suit as well.

It is believed that the meeting took place after Sikh Canadians including SAN, under the guidance of Sikhs For Justice and MP Sukh Dhaliwal introduced a Petition to have the Canadian Government declare 1984 a Genocide.

It is worth noting that the Conservative Government has yet to share its decision regarding the acceptance or denial of the petition. Now that the Sikh community has spoken, the question is… will anyone listen.

Copies of the original Hukamnamma and English Translations (courtesy of Sikhs for Justice) are available below.

Discretion is advised, this video contains profanity.

During When Lions Roar II, the Network had the privilege of spending time with Mandeep Sethi.  An activist, ally and community organizers from the Bay area. This brother had tons of insight to share with us and for that we’re thankful.

After building with him in the studio, there was no doubt that Mandeep Sethi was easily one of and if not THE most talented Sikh MC’s out there. He’s performed alongside some crazy talent, including Dead Prez and has toured India, Barcelona and much more.  With that said, yesterday he surprised us with a cameo of the SAN-T in his most recent video on a track produced by Sikh Knowledge (another talented brother).  So, as a shout out to him, we return all positivity back to his vicinity.

As for the track, we’ll let it speak for itself.  Keep a look out for the Graff Marker that also makes a cameo in the video.  Support the arts and artists, they are the orators and storytellers of our history and our ambassadors to the masses.

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About this track:

B Magic

Noyz

X33

YF