Hundreds gathered at a candle light vigil in Oak Creek, WI to remember the six worshipers gunned down by a white supremacist at the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin a year ago Monday.
Across the country, Sikhs joined in remembrances with prayer services of their own, according to Silicon India.
“We are proud that Sikh Americans nationwide have responded to this tragedy with open hearts and heads held high, consistent with the Sikh belief in Chardi Kala (eternal optimism),” Sikh coalition, an umbrella organisation of the community said in a statement.
From California to New York, observances were held.
Many contributed to a National Day of Selfless Service (or Seva) to honor the innocent who died that day– Paramjit Kaur Saini, Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Prakash Singh, Suvegh Singh Khattra, and Satwant Singh Kaleka along with those who were injured.
National media however paid little attention to the anniversary.
According to Buzz Feed, with the exception of CNN, network news crews pretty much ignored it. The shooting at the temple rarely get mentioned when people talk about national tragedy caused by gunmen.
One writer put it bluntly.
“I think some of it has to do with the fact that the people who shape discourse in this country by and large aren’t Sikhs and don’t know many if any Sikhs,” Robert Wright wrote in The Atlantic.
