(TRACY, CA, 8/28/2019) – The Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) today expressed solidarity with the Sikh community after a Sikh man was stabbed to death in Tracy.
READ: Sikh Community In Tracy Demanding Answers After Man Was Stabbed To Death (CBS 13)
READ: Tracy police identify man killed near park, elementary school (KCRA 3)
READ: Tracy man, 64, slain in ‘safe’ park (Stockton Record)
Parmjit Singh, 64, was walking in his neighborhood near Gretchen Talley Park in Tracy when he was brutally attacked about 9 p.m. Sunday, according to reports. He died at the scene.
Police are seeking a man spotted on surveillance cameras running near where Singh was killed.
The community is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone who helps identify a suspect.
CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra said in a statement:
“We stand in solidarity with the Sikh community amid this heinous attack. We urge witnesses to come forward and help get justice for Parmjit Singh and his family.”
Tracy police ask that anyone with any information contact Detective Camillo Swiger at (209) 831-6648 or Detective Jarrod Jesser at (209) 831-6640; the Police Department at (209) 831-6550; or Tracy Crime Stoppers at (209) 831-4847 to remain anonymous. Tips also can be sent by text to 274637 (CRIMES), then write “TIPTPD” plus your message.
While investigators have not identified a motive, the deadly attack comes amid a rise in hate crimes nationwide.
READ: Hate crime rising in 30 US cities as overall crime rates decline, report finds (Guardian)
CAIR has reported an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other marginalized groups since the election of Donald Trump as president.
READ: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Charge for Threat to Shoot D.C. Muslims
There was a 17.4 percent spike in California hate crimes from 2016 to 2017, according to a report by the attorney general.
READ: Hate Crime in California
READ: Hate crimes rise in California for third straight year, state report says (L.A. Times)
CAIR-CA found a marked rise in anti-Muslim bias incidents in California in 2017, as detailed in its Civil Rights Report. CAIR-CA recorded an 8 percent increase in anti-Muslim bias incidents in 2017 compared to 2016.
READ: 2018 CAIR-CA Civil Rights Report
Elkarra urged community members to report any bias incidents to law enforcement and to CAIR-SV/CC at 916-441-6269 or by filing a report at http://bit.ly/cairsvreport.
CAIR-SV is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR-SV/Central California Communications Manager Kalin Kipling-Mojaddedi, 916-441-6269, kkipling@cair.com
