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Who Are We
Who Are We
We are a nation-wide coalition of litigators, law professors, legal advocates and law school students committed to ending caste-based discrimination. We
Advocate for laws and policies that address caste-based discrimination, protecting and supporting its victims
Support attorneys and other service providers working with victims by providing resources, best practices and CLE (continuing legal education) around matters of caste equity
Educate & raise awareness about caste-based discrimination and victims’ rights through legislative advocacy, academic publications and legal analyses.
Legislation
Legislation
CALIFORNIA - Senator Aisha Wahab introduced SB403: Bill to End Caste Discrimination in March 2023. It passed in both the Senate and Assembly (read an example of our legal analysis to the committee here and watch our testimony here, along with the videos to the right). However, Governor Newsom vetoed the bill because he believed caste was already a protected category (read his message here) - success without victory!
FRESNO, CA - On September 28, 2023, Oaxacans and Sikhs came together to make Fresno the first city in California to ban caste discrimination! (Los Angeles Times)
SEATTLE, WA - On February 21, 2023 Seattle became the first U.S. city to ban caste-based discrimination by explicitly listing caste as a protected class in the city’s anti-discrimination policy. The Seattle City Council approved the ordinance 6-1. (Associated Press)
And while this is outside the US, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention Canada
Advocacy
Advocacy
Publications & Statements
California Employment Lawyers Association & Legal Aid at Work
San Diego coalition of lawyers and legislators (ex: South Asian Bar Association of San Diego, San Diego Japanese American Citizens League, Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego, San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association ... as well as several members of City Council)
Sanford, Heisler, Sharp LLP blog post and formal support letter
South Asian Bar Association of North America (see op-ed in The San Diego Union Tribune)
Institutional Anti-Discrimination Policies (where caste is a protected category)
Education
Education
12Jun2025: Webinar: Understanding and Addressing Caste Discrimination in U.S. Courts, hosted by National Association of Women Judges
25Mar2024: Caste & Caste Discrimination, hosted by New York City Bar
07Mar2024: The Modern Movement for Caste Equity, hosted by us! - 🎬 watch taping here
29Sep2023: Caste-Based Discrimination in the United States, hosted by Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area and State Senator Aisha Wahab (MCLE Credit) - 🎬 watch taping here
26Aug2023: Race, Caste and the 21st Century Battle for Civil Rights (Not for CLE credit)
19Jul2023: SB403 Community Panel, hosted by NASW-CA Region C and led by State Senator Aisha Wahab - 🎬 watch taping here
14Jul2023: Caste Discrimination in the United States: What Every Lawyer Should Know About This Growing Civil Rights Issue (Hosted by ABA, not for CLE credit) - 🎬 watch taping here
17Apr2023: Women's Bar Association of the State of New York: A CLE Webinar on Caste Discrimination
16Sep2022: South Asian Bar Association of New York via Berkeley Law
Contact Us
Contact Us
Contact information of individual task force members can be found through their various publications. If you are seeking counsel, we recommend contacting law firms directly: either Sanford, Heisler, Sharp or Outten & Golden. Want to join the mailing list for legislative updates, client referrals and pro-bono opportunities? Contact us at casteequity@gmail.com.
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