| Sikh Community Invites Americans Nationwide to Join in Interfaith Vigil |
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For Immediate ReleasePrimary contact: Satjeet Kaur; satjeet@sikhcoalition.org, 646-845-0630.Secondary contact: Amardeep Singh; amar@sikhcoalition.org, 917-628-0091 (New York, New York) August 7, 2012 – The Sikh Coalition, in collaboration with local Sikh leaders and partner Sikh organizations, will be holding interfaith vigils across the country on the evening of Wednesday, August 8 in an effort to coordinate a nationwide invitation to a remembrance for the victims and their families of the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Gurdwara massacre. “A crime like this should be condemned, regardless of what ethnic or religious group is targeted. The shooting is no less or more reprehensible if it was directed against Americans attending a mosque, synagogue, or church. This type of attack is not an attack on one community; it’s an attack on us all,” said Executive Director, Sapreet Kaur. “As our nation still struggles to comprehend what happened and we continue to support the victims and their families it’s important to send a clear and unified message to those who attempt to divide us with these senseless acts of violence. We will not be divided, we will find hope in a moment of great tragedy, and we will move forward in the belief that freedom of religion remains a fundamental tenet of our great democracy,” said Ms. Kaur. The Sikh Coalition continues to partner with other leading organizations on the ground in Milwaukee to raise money for the families of the victims and for those who were seriously injured in the shooting. The fundraising effort raised thousands in the first 24-hours on Monday. “The outpouring of support from within the community and from around the nation has been tremendous. The local community will be leading the distribution of funds directly to those families impacted most by the deadly shootings with the goal of providing well needed relief in this time of crisis,” said Coalition’s co-founder Amardeep Singh, who is on the ground in Wisconsin this week. For more media information about the vigils being planned around the country this week or to speak with one of the Sikh Coalition’s experts that remain available to members of the media please contact Satjeet Kaur; satjeet@sikhcoalition.org (646) 845-0630 or Amardeep Singh; amar@sikhcoalition.org (917) 628-0091. |
