Los Angeles, CA (July 30, 2013): It is learnt that on the late night of July 29th, 2013 the Sikh Gurdwara (Sikh congregational place of worship) in Riverside, CA was vandalized in an apparent hate crime. The word ‘terrorist’ was spray painted around the complex.

As per information provided by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the NGO has been in direct contact with Riverside County Sheriff Department, the Riverside Police Department, the FBI and Department of Justice CRS urging them to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

“It is horrible to see an attack of hate on a place of worship as we reflect on the lives lost one year ago during the attack on the Oak Creek Gurdwara. Attacks and vandalism against any of the nation’s houses of worship must be condemned by all Americans. These acts strike the very foundation of religious tolerance, a fundamental freedom this country was built upon,” said SALDEF Executive Director Jasjit Singh.

“We call upon local and federal law enforcement agencies to rightfully classify this incident as a hate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice to show that hate and violence are not tolerated in our society”, he added.