Today marks the seventh anniversary of the shooting at the Oak Creek Gurdwara in Wisconsin where our community lost six members; Satwant Singh Kaleka, Paramjit Kaur, Suveg Singh Khattra, Prakash Singh, Ranjit Singh, and Sita Singh.
This tragic day highlighted the need to combat hate and to also understand gun control yet today we are still faced with the same issues. This past weekend there were two major mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio; leaving behind 29 dead and 53 injured. Today we not only remember the six-members of the Sikh American Sangat we lost seven years ago today; but, we also mourn with our brothers and sisters who lost friends and family members in other shootings across the country.
To pay respect to the six courageous men and women lost in the Oak Creek attack, SALDEF requests you to spread awareness about the history and significance of the Sikh religion. Sharing about who Sikhs are with your local communities will help combat hateful comments and attacks. Also, please write to your representatives to encourage them to create legislation that recognizes the Sikh community and expands our right to publicly follow our religion. Additional ways to spread awareness and bring our community together include working with SALDEF to host a Know Your Rights seminar at your local Gurdwara or a Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP) at your local police station.