New York City – Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Sikh community leaders slammed Mayor Bloomberg for yanking the NYPD from a town hall meeting to address Sikh community concerns about hate crimes.

In June of 2004, two Sikh men were assaulted in Queens.  In fact, since 9/11 the Sikh Coalition has reported 62 hate crimes against Sikhs in New York City.

Rep. Weiner convened the town hall meeting to address mounting concerns within the Sikh community. 

Three weeks ago, the NYPD committed to having a community affairs officer at the town hall to answer questions.  But on Tuesday, the NYPD abruptly backed out.

Today, Weiner and Sikh leaders slammed the Mayor for pulling the NYPD out of the town hall.

 “The vast majority of New Yorkers live side by side as people of good faith and good conscience,” said Rep. Weiner.  “But when hate and prejudice rise up, public officials owe New York City swift action and sure answers.  The Sikh community deserves no less, but it looks like the Mayor is putting politics over public safety.”

“Fighting hate crimes is important to the Sikh community,” said Mohinder Singh, of the local community organization United Sikhs.   “It would have been really helpful to have the police here today.  We wish the Mayor would have sent them.”

Weiner is co-sponsor of the Local Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would provide financial and technical assistance to local officials who investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

He also joined with a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to introduce the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA).  The act protects religious expression in the workplace by broadening the "accommodations" employers must make for employees who practice religion-including time off for religious observance and allowing for the wearing of religiously required clothing.  Last year a Sikh subway motorman lost his job when the MTA said he couldn't wear his religious headgear to work.