Sikh Community in Chicago Hosted an Interfaith Vigil for Victims of Indianapolis FedEx Shooting.
On Saturday, April 24, 2021, Numbers of Interfaith Leaders gathered at Palatine Gurdwara to pray for the eight people were killed in the mass shooting Thursday at an Indianapolis FedEx facility.
Last Thursday a deadly and horrible mass shooting occurred at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Among the victims, at least 4 of them were members of the Sikh community. Many of the targeted workers were Sikh immigrants. Media outlets and law enforcement agencies Confirm 8 people dead and several fatally injured.
In the wake of a deadly shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis it raised awareness of many in the anti-Asian and Sikh violence in recent months.
More than 200 people gathered in Sikh Religious Society Palatine Gurdwara, for the candlelight vigil to commemorate the Indianapolis FedEx shooting victims and to call attention to recent multiply anti-Sikh and Asian violence.
The event was organized by Sikh volunteers and Sikh Religious Society of the Palatine Gurdwara, in collaboration with the Interfaith Group.
Dr. Pardeep Singh Gill, President of Sikh Religious Society Palatine opened the program and welcomed the guests.
Many community members were shocked and saddened when she first saw news of Tuesday night’s shootings.
At the candlelight vigil in Palatine Gurdwara, community activists several social, humanitarian organizations and Interfaith leaders react to rising in targeted violence in All over in the country, including Dr. Jay Moses Senior Pastor at Hope Presbyterian Church, Azam Nizamuddin Islamic foundation Villa Park, Pastor R. Keith Beauchamp, Senior Pastor of Bethel, New Life Church in Wheaton, Motika Anand United Peace, Maria Pike Moms Demand Action, Abdullah Mitchell Council of Islamic Organization and Raja Mohammad Yaqoob from Coalition of Pakistani American.
The speakers shared their personal reminder to the audience that gun violence impacts every community and all religions, races and ages. They further said, "We were shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of those killed in Indianapolis. This attack on Sikh community is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. The Sikh American community has a long history of enduring racism all over the USA since 9/11. This thing must be stopped. We are calling our elected leaders and civic, faith-based, and educational institutions to take steps and action against xenophobia, racism, and anti-religious hate."
A minute's silence had taken place for victims of the FedEx facility in Indianapolis. More than forty Muslim and Pakistani community members showed up in the Palatine Gurdwara to joined pray and solidarity with Sikh Brothers.
At the end of the event All the participants and community members of the event were invited to the Langar (Dinner) from the community kitchen vegetarian meal.
The event was complete well organized.