SALDEF Campaign Update: Anti-Sikh Facebook Pages (from SALDEF)

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Campaign Update: Anti-Sikh Facebook Pages



700,000 Facebook Users No Longer Receiving Anti-Sikh Messages; Over 2 Million Remain

This summer, SALDEF reported forty-five (45) Anti-Sikh or Anti-Turban pages reaching a combined audience of over 3 million individuals on Facebook, the world's most popular social networking site.

Thanks to the community's support, a handful of pages have been shut down resulting in over 700,000 facebook users no longer receiving Anti-Sikh messages. The majority of pages, however, are still active and spreading misinformation about Sikhs.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Sign the Petition to Facebook to have these pages removed
2. If you have already signed up, encourage others to do so by clicking here
3. Post this link on your Facebook wall: www.saldef.org/FacebookPetition
4. Report these offensive pages directly to Facebook. Visit each page and click 'report this page'

The following are examples of pages that have been closed down as a result of your actions:
• My turban brings the Taliban to the yard and they’re like we wanna bomb cars
• How long are these turban jokes on Faceboook gonna curry on for?
• My Turban Only Comes Off During Sex

"It's critical that we keep the pressure on Facebook to remove these Anti-Sikh pages," said Jasjit Singh, SALDEF's Associate Executive Director.

"The misinformation being spread from these pages puts our community in harm's way by promoting misconceptions about our identity. These pages directly undermine our educational efforts."

 

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This is the background article which is mentioned in the above press release

Audience of 3 Million Users Receiving Anti-Sikh Messages

Image attempting to link Sikhs to terrorists

SALDEF has identified a disturbing trend on Facebook, the world’s most popular social networking site. Forty-five (45) Anti-Sikh or Anti-Turban pages are currently reaching a combined audience of over 3 million individuals. While some of these pages may have been created as attempts at humor, they have serious implications for the global Sikh community.

The pages contain offensive wall posts, pictures attempting to link Sikhs to terrorism, and even imagery of Sikh Gurus and Sikh historical figures. Besides these pages being hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community, SALDEF is concerned about such pages leading to possible bias or violence against Sikhs.

Click here to sign the petition to Facebook.

Among the most disturbing and potentially dangerous comments, some examples include:
• turban wearing arabs are pleb f%^*!…. f*#$ off back to the desert out of our countries… we dont like you and you stink out taxis and elevators
• stupid a** diaper heads, and sand ni$#*@s, GO HOME WE WERE HERE FIRST
• IN MY HOUSE ALL TURBANS ARE SHOT ON SIGHT

Click here to view the complete list of inappropriate pages.

SALDEF has been in contact with Facebook and discussed the effect that these pages have on the global Sikh community. Our efforts have resulted in around a dozen pages – those that are most offensive or endorse violence against Sikhs or turban-wearing individuals – being removed. However, there is still work to be done.

To ensure the voice of the community is heard, and that action is taken on the remaining pages, SALDEF encourages community members to sign a petition addressed to Facebook and report the offensive pages to them as well.

“The majority of the challenges we face in this country – whether related to racial profiling, hate crimes, or school bullying – result from misconceptions about the Sikh identity and faith,” said Jasjit Singh, SALDEF Associate Executive Director. “Misinformation reaching such a broad audience undermines our educational efforts. It is crucial that we take measures to get these pages removed and ensure that accurate informational sources about Sikhs and Sikhism are available to the public.”

We are grateful to vigilant community members that brought these disturbing pages to SALDEF’s attention.