Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
–Palatine, IL
The Sikh Religious Society Palatine Illinois hosted FBI Chicago Region’s Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson for a friendly visit to its Gurdwara in Palatine, IL on February 26, 2016.
The visiting guests included Christopher Veatch Assistant U.S. Attorney Northern Illinois Division and Amrith Kaur Aakre Assistant State’s Attorney Cook County Illinois. The purpose of the visit was community outreach, to meet and get to know each other, and to have an informal discussion of Sikh community issues.
Michael J. Anderson was appointed as the Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of investigations Chicago Field Office in September 2015. Anderson most recently served as section chief of the Employee Services Section in the Human Resources Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He supervised investigations of super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson; Hurricane-Katrina related public corruption and government fraud. He also launched the International Contract Corruption Initiative (ICCI) targeting Iraq reconstruction-related fraud and corruption.
Anderson and the group attended an informational slide presentation by Amrith Kaur Aakre about Sikhs and their issues while living in this country and was presented with a poster, depicting Sikh Soldiers in World Wars who gallantly fought and died for the allies.
Anderson explained his past experience with civil rights, current job responsibilities in Chicago and his plans to increase resources for community outreach.
“Civil rights violations such as hate crime, including threats or acts of violence based upon religious bias, will not be tolerated by the FBI. The Chicago Field Office will ensure that all its necessary resources will be dedicated to fully address such crimes, including close collaboration with its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and its many private organization allies such as the Sikh American community,” said Anderson.
A free flowing cordial dialogue during Q&A session ensued where curbing the prevalent hate crimes against Sikhs, TSA issues at the airports, and mitigation of safety and security concerns, were discussed.
Anderson sat on the carpeted floor to observe the Sikh worship congregation, listened to the kirtan (hymns) and was invited to address the Gurdwara congregation. He introduced himself to the community and assured his personal attention in case of a need. “I invite Sikh community members to seek employment opportunities with FBI. I like to see my staff to look like the communities they are serving,” said Anderson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mr. Christopher Veatch who is National Security and Cyber Crimes Section Chief and prosecutes domestic terrorism cases also assured his cooperation and support to the community during his remarks to the Sikh leadership group meeting. ” I am here to assure the Sikh community that we do our best to prosecute the proven hate crime perpetrators,” said Christopher Veatch Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois.
The event was organized by Rajinder Mago and served as an important link in building awareness Sikh faith “This meeting with FBI leadership, U.S. Attorney and Cook County State’s Attorney’s officers was to build and maintain cooperative relationships with law enforcement. The presentation to them was to create an awareness of Sikh appearance, turban, beard, Kirpaan, Five K’s the articles of faith the external tangible symbols which are constant reminders of the core Sikh values,” Rajinder Singh Mago.
The post Chicago FBI Chief Visits Gurdwara To Address Hate Crimes appeared first on News India Times.
