Sikhs in California are launching a political action committee (known as a “PAC”) under the name American Sikh Political Action Committee to support the political efforts of California’s Sikh community. According to OpenSecrets.org, at the federal level:

Political Action Committee (PAC) — A popular term for a political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. Most PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual, PAC or party committee per calendar year. A PAC must register with the FEC within 10 days of its formation, providing name and address for the PAC, its treasurer and any connected organizations. Affiliated PACs are treated as one donor for the purpose of contribution limits.

State-level PACs, such as the American Sikh Political Action Committee, would be regulated under state election laws.  However, the basic premise is similar: an organization is being created to leverage the financial strength of the Sikh community to bring political attention to various Sikh-related issues.  In that sense, this is a very worthy initiative to further engage the Sikh community in their political process.

The first fundraising meeting of the American Sikh Political Action Committee is taking place Wednesday, May 30, at 6 PM at the Holiday Inn Express located at 2224 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, California.

The full announcement of the meeting appears below.

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh,

 I am pleased to announce the formation of a new political force, the American Sikh Political Action Committee (registered with the CA Secretary of State as a state committee).  The purpose of this organization is to support the statewide efforts of the Sikh Community.  Our immediate goal is to ensure Republican and Democratic support of AB1964, prohibiting employers from discriminating against sardars.  Our long term goals are to ensure that elected officials listen to the collective Sikh voice in establishing policy.  We will also take steps to support the appointment of Sikh officials, including judges, committee members and community liaisons.  Of course, it will be our pleasure to also support Sikh political candidates.

 Our first fundraising event will be this Wednesday, May 30^th, 6pm at the Holiday Inn Express, 2224 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento.   Thank you to hotel owner, Amrik Singh, for continuing his generous tradition of donating facilities for political activism.

 At the meeting, we will be making some early decisions as to (1) the Political Executive Board, (2) the Delegate Committees that will be meeting with politicians to present contribution checks and (3) the list of politicians/candidates to whom we expect to make contributions.  The structure of the American Sikh PAC allows local communities to control local contributions while using the structure of a political action committee to maximize political power.

Thank you for your expected support.  We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.  If you cannot attend, please send a contribution check with a friend or contact me to make arrangements.  This is the first step for the Sikh Community to take control of its own destiny in California.

 Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh,

Amar Shergill
Shergill Law Firm | Sacramento | San Francisco | Yuba City
2150 River Plaza Drive, Suite 295, Sacramento, CA, 95833 | 916 564 5781 | www.shergilllawfirm.com