WASHINGTON; Sikh men and women conspicuous in their bright Orange turbans and scarves were among thousands of supporters of human rights from all over America assembled at the Lincoln memorial to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1963 Great March in Washington D.C. when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic speech I have a dream. Over 75000 persons participated in the march which focused on the critical issues of Jobs Justice and Peace. Prominent participants who addressed the rally included the Rev Jesse Jackson Attomey

General Janet Reno Mrs. Coretta Scott King wife of Dr.King Henry Cisneros Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mrs. Sharon Kelly Mayor of Washington D.C. and Mr. Andrew Young former mayor of Adanta Dr Joseph Lowery of Lowery of the Southern Christian Leadership Council and several members of U.S. Congress

The rally at the Lincoln memorial started with the recitation of Scriptures from seven different religious. Dr.Rajwant Singh representing the Sikh faith recited a hymn reflecting the message of justice and brotherhood from the Holy Scriptures and translated it in English for the benefit of the large audience Open space around the Lincoln memorial and Washington monument resounded with the words of Guru Arjan ji.

The ground represented many diversified groups included many grass roots national organizations Labor Unions religious groups church organizations women and Gay rights groups and organizations representing almost all of the  ethnic communities all across America. Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (GGSF) and National Sikh Center representing the Sikhs co-sponsored this event

The 1963 march on Washington was very significant to the U.S civil rights movement and is perhaps best remembered for the historic speech by Dr. Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial Over250, 000 people came from all across the United State: and changed the fate of all across the United States and changed the fate of all African-Americans in this country

An Interfaith service took place in the morning before the rally in an open air the after at the Washington Monument Seven different groups representing various religions sang hymns from their Scriptures A Sikh Kirtani Jatha o! 30 men and women lead by Bhai Gurdarshan Singh Granthi of GGSF and Dr-Rajwant Singh recited a Shabad from Sikh Scriptures Sabko Aase Teri Baitha accompanied by Harmonium and tabla Bhai Gurdarshan Singh offered a blessing from Gurbani at the beginning of the service and Hammandir Singh Jassal recited a part of litany commemorating the civil rights march in 1963

The participation of Sikhs in the 1993 march for jobs justice and peace is in keeping with the growth of the Sikh community in the United States and symbolic of the community’s active role in the life and politics of country. Today Sikhs are a significant part of the multi-cultural multi-religious mosaic that is America almost a hundred years after the arrival of the first immigrant Sikhs on the West coast of North America

Speaking at the Lincoln Memorial addressing such a large audience at a national event really made me feel that we have finally arrived Dr Singh added. Bhai Gurdarshan Singh said that We the Sikhs have to play a role in bringing racial harmony in the Society we live in. We must extend hands to other minorities and join the struggle with them to make this society more lovable and live able.

Dr.Surjit Kaur Chairperson of GGSF said that equality and brotherhood which Manin Luthes King preached are fundamental to the Sikh religion so it was a time for the Sikh community to demonstrate that we truly believe in these Breat ideals. We the Sikhs in America can act as an strong force in this struggle for freedom of faith human tights dignity and equality.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994