Sikh community in Oak Creek plans vigil and other events 10 years after mass shooting claimed six worshippers' lives
Ten years ago, six Sikh worshippers in Oak Creek lost their lives to gunfire, more were injured, and the Sikh sangat (community) as a whole felt the pain.
Many experienced “life-changing injuries and trauma,” said Nimarta Narang, media and communications manager for the Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh civil rights organization in the country.
A seventh Sikh died from complications related to his injuries from the Aug. 5, 2012, attack in early 2020, Narang said.
The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, where the mass shooting occurred, said it was the deadliest mass-casualty attack on a house of worship the country had seen in almost 50 years.
“Since then, in the spirit of chardi kala, the Oak Creek sangat has worked to heal and demonstrate unwavering courage, strength and resilience in response,” said a statement from the gurdwara (a Sikh house of worship).
Pardeep Singh Kaleka, executive director for the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, defined chardi kala as “relentless optimism.”
“To many it may sound naïve but in the spirit of how it’s quoted, it’s defying courage,” he said. “We shall be relentlessly optimistic and continuing to build a world where all people are loved and nurtured.”
In that same spirit, a vigil and other events are planned to commemorate the tragedy. Residents are invited to participate.
A public memorial vigil is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, the 10th anniversary of the attack, outside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, 7512 S. Howell Ave.
Gov. Tony Evers plans to attend the memorial.
Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz and Lt. Brian Murphy, who was the first officer at the scene and who was shot multiple times, are scheduled to speak, Narang said, among others.
Earlier that day is the beginning of Akhand Path, a 48-hour recitation of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the religious scripture of Sikhism. Akhand Path continues through Saturday and concludes at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.
Prayers, speeches, poetry and music will be featured from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with reflections from the families affected by the tragedy, interfaith leaders and elected officials.
A community candelight vigil will begin at 8 p.m., with langar (a community meal) following.
The Sikh Coalition, in collaboration with the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, are assisting in promoting the event.
A Chardi Kala community event is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. The community gathering will honor those lost in the shooting. Workshops, interfaith conversations, turban tying, blood donations, COVID-19 vaccines and more is planned, along with free food.
Kirtan, a hymn sung during meditation, takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, followed by tributes to departed souls (words from guests, dignitaries and others) from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Healing from hate
One related event not held at the gurdwara will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at Oak Creek City Hall, 8040 S. Sixth St. FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle will speak at a forum with the Wisconsin Department of Justice about healing from hate and protecting places of worship.
Other speakers include the Rev. Walter Lanier of Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope, Ahmed Quereshi of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Ari Friedman of the Jewish Federation of Milwaukee and others, according to the itinerary.
The event requires attendees to register online at interfaithconference.org.
Sikhs were not identified as a targeted group in data about hate crimes until after the gurdwara shooting through the advocacy work of survivors and the broader Sikh community, according to Balhair Dulai, former president of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, and Kaleka, whose father was one of the six victims.
How to participate
Everyone is welcome to participate in all events, which are free to attend, according to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.
Kaleka said free bracelets will be handed out to visitors on Friday and free shirts given out on Saturday.
When inside the gurdwara, visitors should cover their heads, take off their shoes and try not to turn their back to the priest reading from the sacred texts, according to Dulai and Kaleka. There is no smoking inside.
Ashley Luthern contributed to this story.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page and follow him on Twitter at @ES_Hanley.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sikh community in Oak Creek holding vigil 10 years after mass shooting
