Washington, Prominent US lawmakers have pledged their support to Indian Americans to fight growing Hinduphobia and discrimination against the minority Hindu community in the United States.
Hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the 3rd National Hindu Advocacy Day attracted several Hindu students, researchers, and community leaders on June 28 to discuss concerns facing Hindus living in the United States.
"We are here and we are fighting," Congressman Shri Thanedar said in his speech during the advocacy day here.
"The voice that all of you have, the voice that the Hindu community has in Congress," said Thanedar, a Democrat who introduced House Resolution 1131 (H.Res 1131), which condemns Hinduphobia and attacks on temples , while celebrating the contribution of the Hindu American Community.
He said he would not tolerate Hinduphobia, discrimination or other forms of hatred.
Congressman Rich McCormick welcomed the continued and growing engagement of the Hindu American and Indian American community in policymaking and its potential to transform the future of the United States.
The GOP lawmaker drew attention to his support for House Resolution 1131, which honors the contributions of Hindu Americans, and called on the community to continue pursuing the American dream, which celebrates innovation, hard work, success and its traditions.
Republican Congressman Glen Grothman expressed his solidarity with the community and Congressman Ro Khanna celebrated the growth of community advocacy over the past decade.
Khanna, a Democrat, urged people to be proud of who they are and congratulated the audience for coming to DC for an event that exemplified pride in their heritage and roots.
Congressman Max Miller spoke about the importance of freedom of religion and shared his pride in supporting House Resolution 1131.
He expressed empathy with the problems that the Hindu community has been facing and assured that he would continue to oppose all forms of hatred and intolerance across the country, according to a press release.
Miller, a Republican, acknowledged it was a difficult time for the country and said he would be there for the Hindu community.
"If something were to happen to your community, I will be there, shoulder to shoulder with you," he said.
He also asked the audience to stand firm and never stray from their values.
COHNA said that this year, Hindus have faced attacks on multiple fronts, ranging from the continued use of stereotypical colonial frames to gaslighting and verbal insults, and vandalism of multiple temples.
Attendees heard candid personal testimonies from a powerful panel of Indian students from Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Georgia.
They delved into the challenges they face on campus, in academic environments, and even in their dorms. Their voices and stories made evident the prevailing Hinduphobia on campus and the way it influences their lives and the decisions they make.
More than 100 delegates attended the event, including a large number of Hindu youth from 15 US states.
More than 40 CoHNA senior volunteers visited more than 115 congressional offices to advocate for support for House Resolution 1131, which condemns Hinduphobia and temple attacks while celebrating the contribution of the Hindu-American community, according to CoHNA.
Hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the 3rd National Hindu Advocacy Day attracted several Hindu students, researchers, and community leaders on June 28 to discuss concerns facing Hindus living in the United States.
"We are here and we are fighting," Congressman Shri Thanedar said in his speech during the advocacy day here.
"The voice that all of you have, the voice that the Hindu community has in Congress," said Thanedar, a Democrat who introduced House Resolution 1131 (H.Res 1131), which condemns Hinduphobia and attacks on temples , while celebrating the contribution of the Hindu American Community.
He said he would not tolerate Hinduphobia, discrimination or other forms of hatred.
Congressman Rich McCormick welcomed the continued and growing engagement of the Hindu American and Indian American community in policymaking and its potential to transform the future of the United States.
The GOP lawmaker drew attention to his support for House Resolution 1131, which honors the contributions of Hindu Americans, and called on the community to continue pursuing the American dream, which celebrates innovation, hard work, success and its traditions.
Republican Congressman Glen Grothman expressed his solidarity with the community and Congressman Ro Khanna celebrated the growth of community advocacy over the past decade.
Khanna, a Democrat, urged people to be proud of who they are and congratulated the audience for coming to DC for an event that exemplified pride in their heritage and roots.
Congressman Max Miller spoke about the importance of freedom of religion and shared his pride in supporting House Resolution 1131.
He expressed empathy with the problems that the Hindu community has been facing and assured that he would continue to oppose all forms of hatred and intolerance across the country, according to a press release.
Miller, a Republican, acknowledged it was a difficult time for the country and said he would be there for the Hindu community.
"If something were to happen to your community, I will be there, shoulder to shoulder with you," he said.
He also asked the audience to stand firm and never stray from their values.
COHNA said that this year, Hindus have faced attacks on multiple fronts, ranging from the continued use of stereotypical colonial frames to gaslighting and verbal insults, and vandalism of multiple temples.
Attendees heard candid personal testimonies from a powerful panel of Indian students from Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Georgia.
They delved into the challenges they face on campus, in academic environments, and even in their dorms. Their voices and stories made evident the prevailing Hinduphobia on campus and the way it influences their lives and the decisions they make.
More than 100 delegates attended the event, including a large number of Hindu youth from 15 US states.
More than 40 CoHNA senior volunteers visited more than 115 congressional offices to advocate for support for House Resolution 1131, which condemns Hinduphobia and temple attacks while celebrating the contribution of the Hindu-American community, according to CoHNA.
