A decade on from a mass capturing at a Wisconsin Sikh temple, the son of one of many victims has advised Sky News that not sufficient is being executed to maintain the neighborhood protected.
On 5 August 2012, the Sikh neighborhood of Oak Creek got here below assault when white supremacist Wade Page stormed a Gurdwara in Wisconsin and gunned down six worshippers, earlier than capturing himself useless.
A seventh one who was severely paralysed died from his accidents in 2020.
Among the victims was the president of the temple, Satwant Singh Kaleka.
The 65-year-old used a butter knife – the one weapon he might discover – to problem Page.
His actions might have created a distraction which allowed a number of folks to flee the world unhurt, nonetheless he sustained gunshot wounds within the course of.
FBI brokers described Mr Kaleka as “a hero” for preventing to the demise whereas defending others.
His son, Pardeep Singh Kaleka, advised Sky News “we’re continuing to build around the wound in the community”.
He has turn into a key anti-hate crime activist within the space by his engagement in neighborhood work. He stated crucial factor to him is that “we keep pushing for a society free from bigotry and hate”.
He stated: “Not enough has been done to keep communities like ours safe”, including: “That’s why we continue to advocate for change”.
“I’m trying to prevent the next Wade Page out there from hurting any community.”
He continued: “Justice will only be served when we build a society where hate and violence are less likely.
“We have rebuilt our Gurdwara and can use the sword of compassion to construct a extra simply society.”
A bullet hole remains on a door frame at the Sikh temple.
A plaque below it reads “We are one” – a key Sikh principle.
Sikh hate crime on the rise
The FBI began tracking anti-Sikh hate crimes and bias incidents after the attack.
The testimony of Harpreet Singh Saini (then 18 years old), who lost his mother at Oak Creek, encouraged them to do so, says Sikh Coalition, a Sikh-American advocacy group.
However, hate crime reporting just isn’t necessary within the United States, so the obtainable information “is an undercount of the actual number of hate crimes”, it stated.
Mr Saini, who testified in 2012, has known as on Congress this week to “take action today on three pieces of legislation to counter the kind of hate we face”.
The most up-to-date FBI information, printed in 2021, exhibits that anti-Sikh hate crimes hit a document excessive of 89 documented incidents in 2020, reflecting an 82% enhance on 2019, regardless of an general lower within the variety of anti-religious hate crimes.
This 12 months has additionally seen a number of assaults on Sikhs, together with two assaults in New York inside 10 days.
Events in place to commemorate 10-year anniversary
The Oak Creek Sikh neighborhood will likely be internet hosting a sequence of occasions to commemorate the anniversary, together with a candlelight vigil and a neighborhood occasion defining the spirit of “chardi kala” – everlasting resilience, optimism and pleasure.
The mayor of Oak Creek, Daniel Bukiewicz, advised Sky News that officers together with members of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security will attend.
“The incident not only shook Oak Creek but all of Wisconsin and the Sikh community around the world,” he stated.
“I have experienced that the feelings and beliefs of the Sikhs are one of unity and acceptance.”
Source: information.sky.com”