'We are not a racist town.' Conn.'s first Sikh city council member reacts to defaced signs

Norwich police are investigating a string of incidents involving vandalism of three bus station advertisements paid for by recently elected city council member Swaranjit Singh.

The four incidents occurred between Nov. 1 and Dec. 28 and involved three of the eight advertisements Singh pays for which aim to educate the public on Sikh culture.

Singh made state history in November when he became the first Sikh to win the election as a city council member in the state of Connecticut.

“We are not a racist town and [the people] of Norwich have spoken it loud by electing me,” Singh said of the vandalism acts. “It could be just someone ignorant. I hope it was not politically driven towards me.”

Norwich police Friday confirmed they were investigating the incidents. In an email sent to The Bulletin earlier in the day, Singh said he also filed an online complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and with the Anti-Defamation League.

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In some cases the reported vandalism involved smashing the glass enclosing the advertisement. In others, graffiti was left appearing to deface the depiction of a Sikh wearing an item of headwear called a “dastar.” In another incident, the same color of graffiti crossed out the words “#Punjab Sikh Homeland” in addition to leaving the date “Jan. 7.”

Singh told The Bulletin that he at first thought it was a random act of vandalism when he drove by a sign at a bus stop near the Walmart in Norwich on Nov. 1.

With additional incidents occurring on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, he grew more concerned, particularly because, after driving to various spots around the city, he noticed other bus stop advertisements remained untouched.

That's when he made the report.

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“We have done these educational billboard campaigns several times in the past and it never happened but I am not going to get demoralized and will continue my efforts to combat hate and bigotry,” Singh said.

“[The] thing that bothers me is that it could be a potential hate crime threat as one of the billboards had “Jan 7” on it but I have [met with a Norwich police officer] yesterday at Norwich PD and emailed him [pictures] so our ]police] can document everything and I have also emailed my concerns to the Norwich police chief.”

Sikhism originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan in the 15th century and today counts more than 25 million followers across the globe.

Singh is a Norwich city council member and the longtime resident is the owner of the Sikh Art Gallery in the city.

Speaking to The Bulletin Friday he said he has long placed advertisements at bus stations around the city with the aim of growing awareness around his religion and promoting his gallery – but has never dealt with any vandalism of those billboards.

“The only thing changed is now I have a political position,” he said.

After reporting the vandalism to authorities, Singh said he also called members of the local community, including the owner of The Royal Punjabi restaurant, to make sure they were aware of the acts and remained vigilant.

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“I have done my duty by reporting it and told Sikh community members to just remain more vigilant,” he said.

“I have full faith in our authorities and I am thankful to our city, state, and federal leadership for always supporting the Sikh community.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich police look into vandalism of Sikh city council member's signs