As the rest of Britain commemorated Remembrance Day on November 11th Sikhs assembled at Portcullis House in Parliament for a remembrance tribute to those involved in the struggles this community has already faced and continues to do so. Remembrance Day is generally a time to reflect on the great contribution the veterans have given in the name of freedom. For Sikhs, this was a day spent first reflecting on the lives lost in 1984 when all rights and freedoms became a distant memory. The day involved Sikhs engaging in the political process by lobbying their respective Members of Parliaments to recognize the atrocities that were committed against Sikhs 20 years ago; however, it also forced MP’s to acknowledge the injustices that the Sikhs continue to face today. One of the most pressing matters brought forward involved the three young Singhs who have been expelled from their schools in France because they refuse to take off their turbans. The law, which is actually hundreds of years old, has only now been enforced and requires that children attend school without demonstrating any personal article of faith. The three young Singhs: Bikramjit, Jasvir and Ranjit have had the courage to challenge this law and are in the process of taking their lycee (high school) to court over the matter. Two of the young men involved, Jasvir Singh and Ranjit Singh, along with Karamvir singh accompanied by S. Raghbir Singh and Shamsher Singh from Siri Guru Singh Sabha in Paris to share their experiences with their Sikh brothers and sisters. The three representatives spoke with sincerity about their predicament and urged Members of Parliament in this country to assist them in putting pressure on French authorities to remove such an unjust law. Karamvir Singh, another young man who has been refused entry in five universities on the basis that he wears a turban. Karamvir Singh is not one of the three Singhs in court because he is pursuing post secondary studies and unfortunately has had no choice but to attend a private institution that allows him to wear his turban. All three young men spoke passionately about their struggles growing up in France where Sikhs are still relatively few in number when compared to the UK and North America. Although fluent in French first, the three Singhs fervently addressed the gathering in French, English, and Punjabi. They described their childhood when they were teased and harassed on the schoolyards by other children. Today, as young adults they are still under attack, only this time by the lawmakers of the land. Often emotional and heart wrenching, Jasvir Singh , Ranjit Singh and Karamvir Singh’s testimonies had the gathering in tears, while at the same time their positive attitude and radiant smiles managed to uplift the spirits of all Sikhs in their presence. Over and over again, all three young men asserted that they are committed to fight for their Sikh identity regardless of the challenges. While acknowledging and thanking all those who have supported them already, the Singhs also requested more of the UK Sangat to join them in this fight for the Sikh identity. Kuldip Singh, Pardhan of Guru Tegh Bahadhur Gurdwara promised, on behalf of his Gurdwara and appealed to others, to support the legal battle through the French - and if need be - through the European legal system. The Member of Parliament who helped coordinate Sikh Lobby Day, Dominic Grieve MP, mentioned that when the French sent delegations to Britain for their views on this law prior to it being put into force, British politicians and advisors had urged them to stop such a policy from going forward. He voiced his concerns then and warned the French that this was a mistake. After hearing the plight of the three young French Singhs, MP’s assured the gathering that they would continue to dialogue with their French colleagues on this matter. For more information or to provide support on the issue of Turbans in France, please contact Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Bobigny.