The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today expressed solidarity with the Sikh community after 57-year-old Baljeet Singh Sidhu was attacked near his home in Richmond on Sunday morning.
CAIR-SFBA also called on law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible bias motive for the attack.
Early Sunday, after Sidhu’s taxi driving shift ended, the alleged attacker approached him and asked for a lighter. He said he did not have one and the attacker left. He came back a second time saying he had only $5 and needed a ride. Sidhu told him his shift was over and the alleged assailant left but came back and this time reportedly attacked Sidhu with a barbecue lid and choked him.
Sidhu was left with cuts, bumps and bruises. Friends and family of the victim say they believe it to be a hate crime and that he was singled out because of his Sikh turban and appearance.
Read: Sikh Man Attacked Near Richmond Home in Possible Hate Crime (KTVU)
In a statement, Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA, Zahra Billoo said:
“We condemn this attack and express our solidarity with the Sikh community. Mr. Sidhu and his loved ones are in our prayers. We urge Richmond Police Department to investigate a possible bias motive for this incident.”