Join screening, discussion on 'Waking in Oak Creek' Sept. 27

Posted September 16, 2015 11:00 pm

Elgin Police Department

Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards and Not In Our Town cameraman Dinesh Sabu remember the attack on Aug. 5, 2012 at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. Courtesy of Waking in Oak Creek

The Elgin Police Department will partner with the Gail Borden Public Library and Elgin Community College to host a screening of "Waking in Oak Creek," a documentary that tells the story of a community working together to overcome tragedy after six worshippers at a Sikh temple are killed by a white supremacist.

"Waking in Oak Creek" will be shown at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

The screening will be followed by a conversation about the inspiring community response that followed and how law enforcement and community members worked together to overcome tragedy and create a safe town for all. The event is free and open to the public.

Conversation and light refreshments will be with Chief Edwards of the Oak Creek Police Department, Commander Ana Lalley of the Elgin Police Department, Rev. John Halbert of St. James AME Church, along with Elgin Community College's David Carrillo, associate professor of human services, and Antonio Ramirez, instructor of history/political science.

Additional support and resource sharing will be provided by the Elgin Police Department, Elgin City of Peace, Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Elgin, Elgin Community College, ECC M.A.G.I.C., and the Gail Borden Public Library.

About the Film

As the Sikh community in Oak Creek, Wisconsin prepares for Sunday prayers, a deadly hate attack shatters their lives, but not their resilience. After six worshippers are killed by a white supremacist, the local community finds inspiration in the Sikh tradition of forgiveness and faith. Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, shot 15 times in the attack, joins the mayor and police chief as they forge new bonds with the Sikh community. Young temple members, still grieving, emerge as leaders in the quest to end the violence. In the year following the tragedy, thousands gather for vigils and community events to honor the victims and seek connection. Together, a community rocked by hate is awakened and transformed by the Sikh spirit of relentless optimism.

The film was produced in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office as part of the Not In Our Town: Working Together for Safe, Inclusive Communities Initiative. To learn more about the documentary, visit the "Not in Our Town" website at www.niot.org.

Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, center, and Oak Creek Officer Sam Lenda, the first responders to the 2012 Sikh Temple shootings, join in the Chardi Kala 6K Memorial Run. Courtesy of Waking in Oak Creek

One year after the deadly attack, the Oak Creek, Wis., community comes together at The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin to remember the victims and support their families. Courtesy of Waking in Oak Creek

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