Vigil for Shooting Victims Emphasizes Community in the Face of Tragedy

By Christina Georgiou

Nearly 100 gathered Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil to honor and remember the victims of the shooting at a Sikh house of worship in Wisconsin on Sunday.

The interfaith memorial, organized by West Ward resident Dwayne Evans, included Sikh prayers, a brief statement by Easton Mayor Sal Panto, and a candle lighting to remember the victims.

Evans said he organized the event because a number of members of the local Sikh community are his friends.

"The tragedy that happened in Wisconsin affects us all," Evans said. "What happened there could happen in any church. Anything I could do to help them heal, not only them, but all of us. We're all humans first, before we get dressed."

Panto, who stopped at the service briefly between visiting National Night Out celebrations around the city, said hate crimes are the worst crimes of all, because they "have no reason."

"It saddens me for the reason we are here today," Panto said. "America was created for all people of all religions. You and I are the same."

"What happened Sunday is not only a tragedy for the Sikh community, but for humanity," said Jasmeet Singh Bansal, of Easton. "We should...keep praying for not only the victims in the temple, but those in Aurora as well. We are one family, and we should not forget that."

Members of the Sikh community especially noted the sacrifice of police officer Lt. Brian Murphy.

First on the scene, the police lieutenant was shot multiple times while attempting to render aid to a victim in the parking lot and urged fellow officers to help the victims in the temple before coming to his own aid. He is still in critical condition, at last report.

The local Sikh community even prayed for the gunman, a white supremicist who was shot dead on the scene by Milwaukee police after the gunman shot Murphy.

Including the attacker, seven people died and three were hospitalized with serious wounds.

Despite the tragedy though, the Sikh (pronounced "sik", not "seek") remained positive throughout the event.

"One good thing that has come out of this is that people are learning to pronounce 'Sihk,'" said Pommy Grewal. "I'm sure many other good things will come out of this as well."

Despite that Sikhism is the fifth largest religion, it is still obscure in the minds of many in the U.S., a fact that is not lost on local Sikhs.

Sikhs believe a single Creator sustains people of all faiths and that every human being is equal in the eyes of that Creator. Men and women are equally eligible to seek positions of authority within the temple. They do not have an official clergy.

"Sikh means disciple," said Manjit Singh. "You re born a student, and you die a student."

 A community service is planned at the Sikh Sadh Sangat temple from 6 to 7 p.m. this evening, and another memorial is in the works at a temple in Nazareth on Friday.

Sikh Sandh Sangat is located at 45 Hilton St. All are welcome to attend.