Oak Creek, Wis., United States (June 21, 2013): It is learnt that the members of the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, Oak Creek, Wis. Have decided hold a religious observances and a 6-kilometer run to fund scholarships in the name of victims of August 2012 tragedy in which a neo-Nazi, white supremacist shot dead six Sikh devotees.
As per media reports the members of “The Sikh Temple” Gurdwara Sahib are also working with local city officials in Oak Creek to organize a nighttime vigil in memory of those killed and injured.
According to StarTribune: “Pardeep Kaleka, whose father was among those killed, said organizers wavered on how to mark the anniversary of the Aug. 5 attack. Some wanted to keep the occasion solemn, while he and others worried that an overly somber event would be too negative”.
“You’ve got to balance respect for the victims with the spirit of going on in high spirits”, Kaleka reportedly siad.
“I don’t want this to just be a bad memory for the children”, he added.
A related memorial event is also scheduled for Aug. 2, when officials with the U.S. Justice Department plan to hold an observance at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee.
U.S. Attorney James Santelle said the victims’ families and Oak Creek officials are expected to attend. Those invited also include U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who spoke at the victims’ memorial, and members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, along with Gov. Scott Walker and other state leaders.