Off Topic - Violent Videogame against Sikhs

[Guest guest]

Hi to All

 

I am posting this as a matter which should be of grave concern to us all,

whether Sikh or non-Sikh. Please do not reply to this message via the list,

but if you feel strongly on this issue, go to the link given and sign the

petition.

 

Sat Nam!

Gordon

 

 

-

"Siri Khalsa" <info

<info

Sunday, October 20, 2002 6:01 PM

Violent Videogame against Sikhs

 

 

> Last week, SikhNet found out about a video game that has been released

> by

> EidosInteractive which features, on one of the levels of the game,

> bearded

> and turbaned Sikh men being violently killed within a gurdwara whose

> description matches the Golden Temple in Amritsar. We worked closely

> with

> leaders from four other Sikh organizations: Sikh Communications Council,

>

> Sikh Coalition, SMART and SCORE and jointly contacted the executives of

> Eidos requesting that they recall the game and change the images that

> are

> not only offensive to Sikhs but potentially dangerous in an environment

> already predisposed to violence against people in turbans. Eidos removed

>

> images and text from the website that referred to Sikhs and Gurdwaras,

> but

> has declined to recall the game or take any further action. Already,

> there

> are television commercials on air that advertise the game and show the

> briefest clip of a Sikh character being stabbed to death. While

> conversations with the company executives were going on, the

> organizations

> also worked together to draft a petition to the company. Today, that

> petition drive was launched. Please sign the petition, and encourgae

> everyone you know - Sikh and non-Sikh alike to sign the petition. We're

> making a stand against vieo games being used as a mechanism to promote

> hate

> and violence against a specific religious or ethnic community.

>

> http://www.sikhnet.com/s/Hitman2Pet

>

> In the coming days, we are looking at putting pressure on retailers and

> distributors to not carry the game, as well as exploring how to work

> with

> the media. I'll be sending you regular updates and looking for your

> support

> in mobilizing your communities to pressure this game into being taken

> off

> the market.