Update: Providence Kirpan Case Against Sher Singh

October 26, 2001

Source: The Providence Journal

http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/story.pl/news/06421463.htm

On October 26, 2001, The Providence Journal reported that "the city will not prosecute a Sikh man who was arrested at the Providence Amtrak station...for carrying his religious dagger. Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. made the announcement at a news conference." In a letter sent earlier in the week, "Atty. Gen. Sheldon Whitehouse 'did make it clear that if the case were to reach this office, he would use his prosecutorial discretion to dismiss the case,' said Jim Martin, spokesman for Whitehouse. 'From the evidence that this office has reviewed,' Martin said, the kirpan, as the ceremonial dagger is called, 'was a religious instrument and there is no criminal intent.'"