An Oregon man was told to go to a religious-themed parade and learn more about Sikhism as part of his sentence for a hate crime. He was convicted after ripping off a shopkeeper’s turban during an argument.
On Friday, Marion County Circuit Judge Lindsay Partridge ordered a local man, Andrew Ramsey, to attend an annual parade hosted by the Dasmesh Darbar Sikh Temple in Salem, local media reported.
© G. Ronald Lopez / Zuma Press / Global Look Press
Ramsey had earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree intimidation, which is a hate crime under Oregon law. In January, he got into an argument with an Indian-born convenience store owner because he refused to sell him cigarettes without showing an ID. Ramsey ripped the turban off the man’s head and pulled his beard, while punching and kicking him.
The victim, who was a Sikh, explained to the court that the turban and the beard are sacred symbols of his faith, and having the turban removed by Ramsey was “one of the worst” things that could ever happen to him.
The judge now hopes that attending a Sikh event will help the convict to respect other religions. After the parade, Ramsey will have to report to the court on what he has learned.
“Bigotry is the result of ignorance,” the judge said. “All of us are able to learn and benefit from cultures in our community.”
The man was also sentenced to 180 days in prison (a bulk of which he has already served) and three years’ probation. He was told to undergo mental health, drug and alcohol treatment as well.
Sikhism originated in India in the end of the 15th century. Under its key articles of faith, men are required not to cut their hair and wear a turban, known as a dastar.
Original: https://www.rt.com/usa/460258-court-rule-sikh-parade/
In this state you can't buy a cigarette without an ID.
Without an ID you can you grow weed, get an abortion, vote, get a job, demand a same-sex wedding cake, change your gender, inject drugs, organize a violent mob, throw trash on the streets, and drive a car.
These are the freedoms being defended in Oregon courts. The price of cigarette continues to skyrocket, and that is a money-grabbing crime for a plant that grows so easily in this country.
I am sorry the shopkeeper was attacked, hurt, and disrespected so bad. Nobody deserves that kind of treatment, regardless of their faith. It it was a women, her wig could have been pulled off. If it was a Muslim, the burka would have been ripped off. Bad things happen whenever you get into a fight with an irate customer. It goes with the territory when selling harmful, addictive, expensive drugs. Protection is a necessity for this type of job.
Having empathy for other religions is difficult, especially when certain foreign customs are virtually unknown to locals in this bizarre land called Oregon. Caste systems with outwardly visual appearance as a sign of higher status are not very well respected in a country that honors fallen warriors who fought to embrace equality. Normally religion cannot be forced on anyone legally, but the courts here only enforce separation of church and state when it involves Christianity, because it is the religion of white supremacist, nazi facist, homophobic bigots.
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Look up "Christianity". It in itself is NOT a religion, rather the result of a Religion. Christianity is the belief in a "Higher" power that guides us and in the "White/European" senses that is a belief in "Christ". In Islamic beliefs it is in the Prophet Mohamed. There is NOTHING in the religious teachings of the West that states that we "Hate" any color or class of citizen. The hate only comes from our own beliefs and predjudices. These would be passed down from parents to children in every generation.
Just a thought in temperance.
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That does make sense.
Is it really a hate crime (religion/ethnic hate) when a guy lashes out like this? It was not pre-meditated. I need to study up on all the other religions to make sure I do not accidentally offend if they get into a fight me.
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Personally, @creativetruth I blieve that "Any Group" or organization should be free to address/celebrate their beliefs in a peaceful manner. If anyone is so sensative about what they are doing/saying I personally would suggest they take another look at what it is they are doing.
While I would not appreciate getting rotted vegetable matter thrown at me, I would like to see the "Rocky Horror Midnight Show" and even dressed up as a character. I enjoy watching different celebrations and I tend to not censor myself and if I cause offense, I apologize. If someone is so small minded that he feels he must insult a group he doesn't understand, then he should be educated in whathe has done wrong. If a person strikes another in what he believes to be "righteous indignation" he also needs to educated in his religion.
But then again, been through 2 wars not counting the last 17 years, so I am still learning. Not to mention I am about as old as a fossil...
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