Sikhs salute victims of Oak Creek attack

OAKCREEK, WI — Several Indian American organizations and hundreds of community members gathered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, on August 5 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the worst massacre in Sikh American history.

Simultaneously, the Sikh Coalition organized a National Day of ‘seva’ (service) in 23 cities across the country. Volunteers served meals at homeless shelters, and collected food for food banks. Volunteers in Modesto, Calif., also worked with Habitat for Humanity to build and paint houses.

In New York city, ‘sevadaars’ (volunteers) cleaned up Morningside Park in Harlem. And in Irvine, volunteers planted and pruned trees at the Shadetree Nursery.

At the Oak Creek gurdwara, which still bears bullet holes from the horrific violence, the Guru Granth Sahib–Sikh holy scriptures–was read continuously for 48 hours beginning on August 4. Langar was served continuously during the reading, known as Akhand Path.

The community gathered at the temple to sing kirtans and hear the words of community leaders who had traveled from around the country to attend the remembrance services. A blood donation drive was also held during a run.

Said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois: “Every year, my heart breaks with the memory of those we lost on this day five years ago at the Oak Creek Gurdwara where innocent lives were taken in a senseless act of violence and hate.”

Rep. Judy, Chu, D-Calif., and chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said in a press statement: “The tragedy at Oak Creek reverberated across the nation because it was an attack on our shared American values of tolerance and religious freedom. As we reflect on the lives that were lost five years ago, let us also recommit ourselves to speaking out against prejudice and violence whenever it occurs.

South Asian Americans Leading Together noted in a press statement attributed the sharp spike in hate crimes to the Trump administration, stating: “The spate of anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and overall discriminatory policies continue to encourage violence against our communities at staggering rates, leaving many fearful that they will be the next targets of attack.”