wfn.org | CafePress.com Works To Remove Item Offensive to Sikhs

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

CafePress.com Works To Remove Item Offensive to Sikhs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2005

Contact:   Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General, 614-210-0591,
contact@worldsikhcouncil.org

World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR)
A representative body of Sikh institutions of America founded under the
patronage of Siri Akal Takhat Sahib
P.O. Box 3635, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
Phone: 614-210-0591, Fax: 419-535-6794
E-mail: contact@worldsikhcouncil.org, Website: www.worldsikhcouncil.org

Responding to a complaint by World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR),
CafePress.com, a leading internet marketplace network, has worked with its
store to remove an item that had the Khanda (Sikh religious symbol) printed
on underwear for sale on its website.

WSC-AR contacted CafePress.com this afternoon via e-mail and phone. In an
e-mail to CafePress.com, WSC-AR wrote, "We are very disappointed to know
that CafePress is selling an item offensive to the Sikh faith?. The
(underwear) with the Sikh symbol and the accompanying language is racist
and demeans the Sikh faith. This is especially hurtful because the Sikh
community has been preferentially victimized after 9/11." WSC-AR requested
CafePress.com to immediately remove this item from the website as it is
offensive to the Sikh faith.

Within four hours of being contacted by WSC-AR, CafePress.com's Consent
Usage Team informed us via e-mail that "We spoke with our shopkeeper today
and the individual agreed to remove (the) product ?We are pleased to have
reached a resolution of this matter."

Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General and Chair of Interfaith Committee of
WSC-AR said, "We are pleased at the prompt and positive response of
CafePress.com. We further appeal to them to consider removing similar items
with Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, and Hindu faith symbols."

The WSC-AR is a representative and elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and
institutions in the United States. Its members include 29 Gurdwaras (Sikh
places of worship) and 7 other Sikh institutions across the nation.

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Member Gurdwaras of WSC-AR:
1. Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Fremont, CA
2. Guru Nanak Sikh Mission, Livingston, CA
3. Sikh Gurdwara of LA, North Hollywood, CA
4. Sikh Gurdwara Riverside, Riverside, CA
5. Colorado Singh Sabha, Denver, CO
6. Guru Singh Sabha of Augusta, Augusta, GA
7. Sikh Study Circle of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
8. Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL
9. Sikh Society of South, New Orleans, LA
10. Sikh Gurdwara of Michigan, Rochester Hills, MI
11. Sikh Society of Michigan, Madison Heights, MI
12. Guru Nanak Foundation of Jackson, MS
13. Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina, Durham, NC
14. Garden State Sikh Association, Pluckemin, NJ
15. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ
16. Sikh Cultural Society Inc., Richmond Hills, NY
17. Sikh Cultural & Edu. Society of Western NY, Buffalo, NY
18. Sikh Religious Society of Dayton, Dayton, OH
19. Guru Nanak Found. of Greater Cleveland, Richfield, OH
20. Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society, Bedford, OH
21. Guru Nanak Religious Soc. of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH
22. Tristate Sikh Cultural Society, Monroeville, PA
23. Mid South Sikh Sabha, Memphis, TN
24. Sikh Center of Gulf Coast, Houston, TX
25. Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Richardson, TX
26. Sikh Gurdwara of North Texas, Garland, TX
27. Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Fairfax, VA
28. Sikh Association of Central Virginia, VA
29. Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, Brookfield, WI

Other Sikh Institution Members of WSC-AR:
1. Siri Guru Granth Sahib Found., Anaheim, CA
2. Sikhs Serving America, Topeka, KS
3. Sikh Youth Federation of North America, White Plains, NY
4. Sikh Coalition, New York, NY
5. Sikh Educational & Religious Foundation, Dublin, OH
6. Sikh Youth Federation of USA, Toledo, OH
7. Academy of Guru Granth Studies, Arlington, TX

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