The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (Saldef), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organisation, has praised the Senate for passing this important bill by a wide margin, following a landslide of support in the Oregon House on February 13.

Saldef has urged Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to sign the bill into law quickly.

Saldef initiated an historic campaign on behalf of the Sikh American community to overturn ORS 342.650 in the summer of 2009. It has been working to publicise this discriminatory legislation and repeal it.

“Today in Oregon we took a big step forward to equality in our State. The coalition that came together to pass this legislation crossed all lines of religion, race and culture,” said Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt.

“It was inspiring to see national groups like Saldef join with local groups like the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon to achieve this great victory for tolerance and religious freedom. No longer will any law supported by the KKK (Ku Klax Klan white supremacist movement) be the law in our state.”

SALDEF has worked with Mr Hunt and a broad coalition of groups and individuals to win over Oregon legislators, provide testimony at House hearings,  and mobilise community support for a Lobby Day at the State House in Salem.

Kavneet Singh of SALDEF

SALDEF managing director Kavneet Singh said: “We commend the Oregon Senate for this historic vote to finally bury from their state’s laws the unfortunate legacy of bigotry from the KKK in the 1920s.”

He said it was a huge step for the Sikh American community. “Sikh Americans partnered and mobilised with a truly interfaith coalition behind a bill that was supportive of and that protected people of all faiths.”

The bill will now head back to Oregon House for a vote on the minor changes and amendments added by the Senate Rules Commitee.  The final legislation will land on the Governor’s desk for his signature. The change of law will become effective in school year 2011-2012.