An Oregon man was advised to go to a religious-themed parade and learn extra about Sikhism as a part of his sentence for a hate crime. He was convicted after ripping off a shopkeeper’s turban throughout an argument.
On Friday, Marion County Circuit Judge Lindsay Partridge ordered an area man, Andrew Ramsey, to attend an annual parade hosted by the Dasmesh Darbar Sikh Temple in Salem, native media reported.
Ramsey had earlier pleaded responsible to second-degree intimidation, which is a hate crime underneath Oregon regulation. In January, he acquired into an argument with an Indian-born comfort retailer proprietor as a result of he refused to promote him cigarettes with out displaying an ID. Ramsey ripped the turban off the man’s head and pulled his beard, whereas punching and kicking him.
The sufferer, who was a Sikh, explained to the court that the turban and the beard are sacred symbols of his faith, and having the turban eliminated by Ramsey was “one of the worst” issues that might ever occur to him.
The decide now hopes that attending a Sikh occasion will assist the convict to respect different religions. After the parade, Ramsey can have to report to the court on what he has discovered.
“Bigotry is the result of ignorance,” the decide mentioned. “All of us are able to learn and benefit from cultures in our community.”
The man was additionally sentenced to 180 days in jail (a bulk of which he has already served) and three years’ probation. He was advised to endure psychological well being, drug and alcohol therapy as effectively.
Sikhism originated in India ultimately of the 15th century. Under its key articles of faith, males are required not to reduce their hair and put on a turban, generally known as a dastar.