Sacramento, California – Sacramento Councilmember Caity Maple said she was honored to attend the Jakara Movement Gala, where she received Civic Participation Recognition for her role in helping change a city policy affecting members of the Sikh community.
In a statement shared on social media, Maple said the recognition was tied to work in Sacramento that now allows Sikhs to carry kirpans in accordance with their faith. A kirpan is an article of faith for Sikhs, and the policy change was described by Maple as a step toward removing a barrier that should not have existed.
“I had the opportunity to attend the Jakara Movement Gala and was incredibly honored to receive the Civic Participation Recognition for our work to change Sacramento’s policy and allow Sikhs to carry kirpans in accordance with their faith,” Maple said.
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The councilmember framed the change as part of a broader responsibility in public service. She said one of the things she values most about the work is standing with residents and community advocates when city rules or practices create unnecessary obstacles. In this case, she called the policy update a commonsense decision that affirmed religious freedom while making Sacramento more welcoming and inclusive.
“One of the things I love most about public service is working alongside community members to remove barriers that shouldn’t exist in the first place,” Maple said. “This was a commonsense change that affirmed religious freedom and made our city a little more welcoming and inclusive.”
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Maple also credited the people who helped push the issue forward. She gave special thanks to Jasjit Singh and Mandeep Singh, saying their advocacy, persistence, and partnership played an important role in making the change happen.
The recognition came from the Jakara Movement, an organization Maple thanked for its work across California. She said the group continues to help develop leaders, encourage civic engagement, and strengthen communities.
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For Maple, the event was not only a moment of recognition, but also a reminder of how local policy can directly affect residents’ daily lives. Her statement pointed to the importance of listening to community members, addressing concerns with practical solutions, and making sure Sacramento’s public spaces reflect the diversity of the people who call the city home.