1000s of BRITISH Sikhs Protest in Parliament Sq Against Harassment at European Airports

LONDON, September 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Thousands of Sikhs will today, 25^th September, take part in simultaneous demonstrations in four European capitals to protests against a growing trend of intimidation and disrespect of their faith at European airports.

The UK demonstration commences in Parliament Square in London at midday. It will be attended by community leaders and Sikh celebrities; they will be joined by Labour MP for Wolverhampton and former advisor to Tony Blair, Pat McFadden.

In recent months there have been increasing problems at airports for Sikhs travelling from the UK being asked in very impolite and often belligerent terms to remove their turbans after having successfully passed through security scanners.

Abinash Singh and his wife Balraj from Hayes recently appeared on the Sikh Channel telling of their degrading experience at an Italian airport, the officials were not willing to take part in any dialogue but forced the removal of their turbans. Abinash said, "after the contribution of the Sikhs in the world wars, after the positive contribution made to European society by Sikhs, this treatment is deeply upsetting."

Sikhs argue there is no justified security reason for removal of turbans which have successfully passed through scanners, and feel victimised as a result of the on-going 9/11 backlash against minorities.

The campaign to promote fair treatment for Sikhs is being co-ordinated by the Sikh Channel, a cable TV station based in Birmingham and London which broadcasts to an international audience.

DS Ball said, "Reports from across Europeindicate that our Sikh brothers are being forced to remove their turbans at airport security. This is a totally unacceptable infringement of our faith, it's also totally unnecessary as turban is no different than any other item of clothing in relation to a metal detector or x-ray machine."

Campaigners are calling on national Governments in Europe to investigate the treatment of Sikhs at airports and make representations to their European partners where Sikhs found to be abused.

The demonstration will also include retired military personnel and the world oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh. Similar gatherings are being held in Brussels, Rome and Madrid.

Note to editors: The Sikh Channel will be broadcasting live from the demonstrations and will supply video to other broadcasters on request from DSB@sikhchannel.tv or Raviharsh@sikhchannel.tv Coaches will be arriving for midday from Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Hitchin, Ramgharia Gurdwara, Slough, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Slough, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Barking, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Seven Kings, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Woolwich, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, South London, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, South Birmingham, Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara, Wolverhampton, Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, Derby, Guru Nanak Darbar, North London, Sikh Temple, Leamington & Warwick, Guru Govind Singh jiGurudwara, kempston, Khalsa Primary School, Slough, Sangat Gurdwara, Leyton, Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, Mary St, Balsall heath, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick, Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar, EastHam London, Gurdwara Sahib, Leamington and Warwick, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend, Leeds Chapeltown Gurdwara, Gurdwara Ramgharia board, Northampton, Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Northampton, sikh Channel Studio, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Hounslow, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Kettering, Gurdwara Nanaksar That Isher Darbaar, Wolverhampton.