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Anti-Bias Work in Virginia
A More Perfect Union would like to thank Richbrau Brewing Co. and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association for working to build a more just and diverse Virginia.
According to our partners at SALDEF, on December 1, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) received a formal apology from the Richbrau Brewing Co. restaurant in Richmond, VA for denying Mr. Hansdip Singh Bindra entry to the restaurant with his turban.
On November 24, 2006, Mr. Bindra, a member of the Sikh faith, sought entry to the popular restaurant in Richmond with members of his extended family. Mr. Bindra was denied entry due to the restaurant's "no hats" policy. Mr. Bindra attempted to explain that he was not wearing a "hat," but rather a turban, a mandated religious article of faith for Sikhs. "There were all sorts of people there, and yet I was being singled out solely because of the way I looked", said Bindra. "I wear a turban everyday as a Sikh, it's who I am."
In the apology letter addressed to Mr. Bindra, Michael Byrne, Director of Operations at the Richbrau restaurant noted: "It is with this letter that I would like to extend to you an apology for our doorman enforcing the 'no headgear policy' literally." Mr. Byrne continued, "I have contacted the Richmond media and reaffirmed our policy of the traditional headgear policy exception to our staff. I trust you will feel welcome on your next visit to Richbrau Brewing Co."
After being contacted by Mr. Bindra late on November 25, 2006, SALDEF immediately wrote a letter to Mr. Byrne explaining that, "[a] policy allowing for religious accommodation would not permit patrons to circumvent the policy by claiming religious significance for baseball caps, bandanas and other such articles of clothing. A Sikh turban, a Jewish Yarmulke, and a Muslim hijab are all federally protected religious articles of faith and, as such, are allowed to be worn by individuals in all circumstances."
Since this event and the excellent resolution prompted by Richbrau, A More Perfect Union and SALDEF have met with the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association and agreed to develop a multi-part educational campaign for restaurants and hotels focused particularly on signs of cultural diversity including turbans, Mennonite head scarfs, Muslim scarfs, and Jewish yamulkes. This education campaign will begin in February and be part of our broader Hip to Know series.
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Not all Arabs are Muslims. Arabs belong to many religions including Islam, Christianity, Druze, Judaism, and others! That is Hip to Know!
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Dr. Gretchen F. Schoel
Director
P.O. Box 12516
Richmond, Virginia
23241
804-643-2474
e-mail
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Support the creation of a more just and compassionate Virginia through cultural and religious diversity. Donate to the AMPU program or even sponsor our new bus campaign! |
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A More Perfect Union empowers the voice of diverse communities to promote practical actions of solidarity in an effot to reduce cultural and religious bias. A program of the Virginia Interfaith Center, RethinkBias.org focuses on bias against all people with particular emphaisis on cultural and religious minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Arabs, South Asians, and the Jewish community.
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