Mayor of Los Angeles, Mayor of Amritsar Grace Los Angeles Sikh Community's Baisakhi Celebration

April 7, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: SikhNet

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/9DECFB2E8A78FE8987257424005E95EB

Over 100 years ago, Sikhs from what is now Punjab, India, began crossing the ocean and settling far from their homeland. With their unique turbans and, for men, distinctive beards, the Sikhs created an impact wherever they went.

On Sunday, April 6, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Sikh community of Southern California gathered together to celebrate their most important annual festival – the festival of Baisakhi. To honor this event and help commemorate the Sikh presence within Southern California, Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa donned a turban and made an appearance at the event. He spoke to the over 14,000 Sikhs gathered at the Convention Center, expressing his appreciation of the Sikh community.

See also: Sikhism, Civic