Urges Congress to pass "Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026."

ACR153

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 153

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblyman� RAVI S. BHALLA

District 32 (Hudson)

Assemblyman� ANTHONY ANGELOZZI

District 8 (Atlantic and Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges Congress to pass �Sikh American
Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Concurrent
Resolution

urging Congress to pass the
�Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026.�

Whereas,

New Jersey is enriched by the cultural diversity of its residents, as people of
all faiths have made this State their home; and

Whereas,

The Sikh community plays an integral, though often overlooked, role in
strengthening the religious, social, and political fabric of this State; and

Whereas,

Sikhism is the world�s fifth-largest religion with an estimated 30 million
adherents worldwide, including approximately one million in the United States
and approximately 100,000 in New Jersey; and

Whereas,

Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India during the 15th century,
the Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person,
regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God; and

Whereas,

The principles of peace, equality and fraternity are central to the Sikh religion
as it was founded in response to social injustice, religious intolerance, and societal
division; and

Whereas,

Sikh Americans are commonly identified by wearing turbans or iron bracelets
known as karas or by having long beards or mustaches; and

Whereas,

Cultural and religious illiteracy, coupled with a distinct visible identity has
often led to xenophobic violence against Sikhs; and

Whereas,

In 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that Sikhs were the
third-most targeted religious group in the United States despite comprising
less than one percent of the national population; and

Whereas,

This disproportionate targeting of Sikhs underscores both the prevalence and
severity of anti-Sikh hate and discrimination nationwide; and

Whereas,

The �Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026,� currently pending in the
United States Congress, creates a task force within the United States
Department of Justice to examine the prevalence of and combat anti-Sikh hate
and discrimination; and

Whereas,

Addressing the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence against Sikh
Americans requires the passage of the �Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of
2026� to create the necessary task force focused specifically on combatting
anti-Sikh hate and discrimination in all forms; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

���� 1.� The Legislature of the
State of New Jersey respectfully urges Congress to pass the �Sikh American
Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026.�

���� 2.� Copies of this resolution,
as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the
General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority
Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the
United States House of Representatives, every member of the New Jersey Congressional
delegation, and the Sikh Youth Alliance.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution respectfully urges
Congress to pass the �Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026,� which
would create a task force within the United States Department of Justice to
examine the prevalence of and combat anti-Sikh hate and discrimination.� The
act is currently pending in the United States Congress.

����
Sikhism is the world�s
fifth-largest religion with an estimated 30 million adherents worldwide,
including approximately one million in the United States and approximately
100,000 in New Jersey.� Sikhs are commonly identified by wearing turbans or iron
bracelets known as karas, or by having long beards or mustaches.

���� Cultural
and religious illiteracy, coupled with a distinct visible identity has often led
to xenophobic violence against Sikhs.� In 2024, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation reported that Sikhs were the third-most targeted religious group
in the United States despite comprising less than one percent of the national
population.� The disproportionate targeting of Sikhs underscores both the
prevalence and severity of anti-Sikh hate and discrimination nationwide. �Addressing
the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence against Sikhs requires the
passage of the �Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026� to create the
necessary task force focused specifically on combatting anti-Sikh hate and
discrimination in all forms.� New Jersey is proud of its rich cultural
diversity and the Sikh community plays an integral role in strengthening the
religious, social, and political fabric of this State. �