Members of the American Sikh Consultative Forum (ASFC), which was formed recently to raise Sikh issues collectively with New York City agencies, turned up in force at City Hall on November 17 and testified in support of the Uniform Anti Discrimination Bill (Intro 577), which seeks to allow Sikh employees of City agencies to wear their turban at work.

The Bill, which was introduced in February by Council Member David Weprin (D-Hollis), chair of the Council Finance Committee, has the support of 24 council members, but it needs the support of two more council members to be carried by a simple majority.

American Sikh Consultative Forum said in a press release that after the public hearing on November 17, two more council members will lend their support to the bill. A parade of Sikh witnesses – including Amric Singh Rathour, who had been fired by the City for wearing a turban to work as a police officer, but had been reinstated by court order.

City Hall, however, came out against Intro 577 at the hearing. Its special counsel, Anthony Cromwell, said that the bill went too far as it did not allow for a review process to ensure the safety of the worker, fellow workers and the public.

Weprin hosted a press conference with members of the Sikh Coalition and other organizations prior to the hearing in the Council Chamber on the City Hall steps.