Sikh Family Claims Religious Discrimination at Livermore Go-Kart Track

A kerfuffle over turbans angered Sikh family in Livermore.

A go-kart track may find itself sued by a Sikh-practicing family from Alameda after the men in the family were told they must remove their turbans before being allowed to race.

Boomer's, the popular Livermore fun center, also has a go-kart track. Four cousins of attorney Manmeet Singh were told that in order to race, they'd need to remove their patkas -- the turbans that are "central to the Sikh faith," according to the Contra Costa Times.

Men are supposed to wear their patkas at all times, no exceptions. But the track has a rule, stemming from safety requirements, that hats and headgear must be removed at all times -- no exceptions. That even goes for yarmulkes, according to officials for Boomer's parent company.

"Previous catastrophes" at go-kart tracks have involved long hair or hats getting caught in cars or engine compartments, according to officials with Palace Entertainment.

The Singhs did receive a refund, but were also subjected to "subtle racial slurs" by Boomer's staffers, according to Singh, who is a representative of United Sikhs, an advocacy group for adherents to the religion.

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