Background
The Akal website states transparency is a core value of Akal's business, however, the exact nature and extent of contracts and operations between ICE and Akal are not known.
Akal has issued no formal statement condemning the child separations and has not communicated its intentions going forward.
The for-profit businesses were always intended to fund the activities of the non-profit organizations (such as 3HO, Sikh Dharma, etc.). After Yogi Bhajan left his body in 2004, a protracted battle for control of the SSSCorp began. You can read a brief history here. The case was settled in 2012 and since that time SSSCorp has taken steps to improve transparency and accountability. You can review articles, policies, and bylaws here.
The for-profit entities, including Akal, report to the SSSCorp. However, there does not appear to be any mechanism for disclosing details of the practices and finances of these businesses to those of us who benefit from their funding.
I could find no Akal representative to contact. I was able to speak with a public affairs representative of Sikh Dharma but she could only provide minimal background. She was not an Akal spokesperson and had no authority or knowledge to speak directly on their behalf.
These links are what I located while trying to find answers to my questions. I share it in the spirit of transparency of my own process. The information here is by no means comprehensive and I cannot vouch for the credibility of sources on the part of others. However, if you know something on this site is incorrect, please use the contact form to notify me.
PDF of Akal statement
Sikhtalk: Instagram account critical of Akal's connection to ICE
This blog post describes one detainee's treatment at Krome
NPR article from 2009 about Akal
Akal values statement on website
Akal Krome job description
About the prison-industrial complex
SSSCorp policies
3HO contact page
SSSCorp contact page
Akal has issued no formal statement condemning the child separations and has not communicated its intentions going forward.
The for-profit businesses were always intended to fund the activities of the non-profit organizations (such as 3HO, Sikh Dharma, etc.). After Yogi Bhajan left his body in 2004, a protracted battle for control of the SSSCorp began. You can read a brief history here. The case was settled in 2012 and since that time SSSCorp has taken steps to improve transparency and accountability. You can review articles, policies, and bylaws here.
The for-profit entities, including Akal, report to the SSSCorp. However, there does not appear to be any mechanism for disclosing details of the practices and finances of these businesses to those of us who benefit from their funding.
I could find no Akal representative to contact. I was able to speak with a public affairs representative of Sikh Dharma but she could only provide minimal background. She was not an Akal spokesperson and had no authority or knowledge to speak directly on their behalf.
These links are what I located while trying to find answers to my questions. I share it in the spirit of transparency of my own process. The information here is by no means comprehensive and I cannot vouch for the credibility of sources on the part of others. However, if you know something on this site is incorrect, please use the contact form to notify me.
PDF of Akal statement
Sikhtalk: Instagram account critical of Akal's connection to ICE
This blog post describes one detainee's treatment at Krome
NPR article from 2009 about Akal
Akal values statement on website
Akal Krome job description
About the prison-industrial complex
SSSCorp policies
3HO contact page
SSSCorp contact page
Viewpoints
On July 25, 2018, I posted a petition and website regarding the situation with Akal and ICE. My action has drawn attention and signatures and I hope it will continue to do so.
To clarify:
The goal of this social media campaign is to bring pubic pressure to bear to create the most elevated resolution for ALL parties involved. I believe and KNOW there are people at ALL LEVELS of our community who are committed to finding a humanitarian solution to this problem.
The petition is open. Anyone can sign. However, I am not affiliated with or persuaded by people who have an agenda to tear down 3HO or Yogi Bhajan. Neither do I have any influence over them and it is not my place or goal to defend myself or anyone else against them or try to stop their efforts, which have no connection to my purpose. My agenda is transparency, right action, compassion, and upliftment.
Please review the petition and website, sign if you wish, and share with others to spread the word. This call for change MUST be a community effort. One person cannot and will not make the shift.
*****
Critics allege everything from abuses of detainees by Akal personnel to profiteering and extreme corruption on the part of SSSCorp. The purpose of this call to action is to provoke complete transparency for problem-solving. The purpose of this call to action is NOT to defend, deny, or enflame any allegations.
Even if all operations are above board, this lack of transparency casts doubt over the integrity of the work. The lack of transparency means there is no community or public oversight of these activities.
Perhaps if I had tried longer, I could have located someone from Akal to speak with authority on this situation. However, I believe the urgency and seriousness of the migrant crisis, political rhetoric, and human detentions have made it necessary to create public pressure for swift action. I decided a petition and letter writing campaign could be the most effective in creating enlightened resolution. I hope I am right.
To clarify:
The goal of this social media campaign is to bring pubic pressure to bear to create the most elevated resolution for ALL parties involved. I believe and KNOW there are people at ALL LEVELS of our community who are committed to finding a humanitarian solution to this problem.
The petition is open. Anyone can sign. However, I am not affiliated with or persuaded by people who have an agenda to tear down 3HO or Yogi Bhajan. Neither do I have any influence over them and it is not my place or goal to defend myself or anyone else against them or try to stop their efforts, which have no connection to my purpose. My agenda is transparency, right action, compassion, and upliftment.
Please review the petition and website, sign if you wish, and share with others to spread the word. This call for change MUST be a community effort. One person cannot and will not make the shift.
*****
Critics allege everything from abuses of detainees by Akal personnel to profiteering and extreme corruption on the part of SSSCorp. The purpose of this call to action is to provoke complete transparency for problem-solving. The purpose of this call to action is NOT to defend, deny, or enflame any allegations.
Even if all operations are above board, this lack of transparency casts doubt over the integrity of the work. The lack of transparency means there is no community or public oversight of these activities.
Perhaps if I had tried longer, I could have located someone from Akal to speak with authority on this situation. However, I believe the urgency and seriousness of the migrant crisis, political rhetoric, and human detentions have made it necessary to create public pressure for swift action. I decided a petition and letter writing campaign could be the most effective in creating enlightened resolution. I hope I am right.