WI Update: Funeral Services, Hospitalized Victims and National Moment of Reflection

Funeral Service in Oak Creek this Morning

Yesterday morning, thousands of Sikhs and non-Sikhs from around the country came together in Oak Creek, Wisconsin for funeral services of the six Sikhs killed in Sunday’s shooting.  After a prayer service and viewing of the deceased, speeches were given by family members, Gurdwara representatives and dignitaries, including the US Attorney General (AG), Eric Holder Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker and the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.

In his remarks, AG Holder acknowledged the long-standing problems that Sikh American have faced related to hate crimes by saying, “Unfortunately, for the Sikh community, this sort of violence has become all too common in recent years.  In the recent past, too many Sikhs have been targeted and victimized simply because of who they are, how they look, and what they believe,” He then defiantly concluded that thought by saying that, “This is wrong.  It is unacceptable.  And it will not be tolerated.”

To the satisfaction of SALDEF, and the community-at-large, the AG also recognized the motivation behind this tragedy calling it, “an act of terrorism; an act of hatred; a crime that is anathema to the founding principles of our nation and to who we are as a people.”

Read more: To read the full text of Attorney General Holder’s Speech, please click here

Update on the Hospitalized Victims
All three of the individuals that were injured the day of the shooting have been slowly making progress in their recoveries, and their conditions have been stable/improving. Below is a quick update on all three of the convalescing victims:

  • Bhai Santokh Singh, 50, has been upgraded from serious to satisfactory condition
  • Bhai Punjab Singh, 65, who suffered a serious bullet wound to the face, remains in critical condition
  • Lt Brian Murphy, of the Oak Creek Police Department, who was shot at least 8 times while trying to subdue the shooter, has also been upgraded to satisfactory condition.

Read more: (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Community Meeting with Law Enforcement and Government Agencies

Additionally, on Thursday, August 9, both local and federal law enforcement departments, as well as a number of government agencies, conducted a large community forum, organized by the Department of Justice, Community Relations Service. The meeting’s purpose was to begin a dialogue with law enforcement, government and the community, to identify areas where assistance was immediately needed, as well as highlight areas for future collaboration to ensure such tragedies don’t happen in the future. At the meeting, SALDEF Executive Director Jasjit Singh, urged the government and law enforcement agencies to engage in increased collaboration with the community and create a long-term strategy for addressing the multitude of challenges facing community members.

Join the National Moment of Reflection

On Sunday, August 12, we request that Sikhs and non-Sikhs across the country join us in a National Moment of Reflection as we honor the memory of the departed. We hope that this National Moment of Reflection at Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Temples, Gurdwaras, and community centers across America will send a message of peace and unity against intolerance.

While the official time of the shootings was at 10:20am CST, we encourage you to choose a time and reflection that will have the most impact on your sangat. For example, our colleagues at World Sikh Council are working with gurdwara’s across the country, and world, to pause their regular services and sing a particular shabad to show the solidarity and strength of the Sikh Panth in the wake of this tragedy. More information, and participating gurdwaras, can be found by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/events/154702934653899/

Additionally, SALDEF has secured commitments from non-Sikh organizations and congregations across the country to conduct similar moments of reflection in a manner appropriate for their attendees.  Please share this message with your friends, family, and other communities and congregations.

More details can be found here.

Resources for Continued Community Outreach

As you continue to engage with your local communities by arranging vigils, setting up open-houses at your gurdwaras, or just talking to them informally about Sikhs, we offer the resources and tools below — inluding a set of talking points developed in conjunction with other Sikh orgs — to help make your engagments the most successful and productive that they can be.

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