US flags to fly at half-staff till Aug 10 to honour Gurdwara shooting victims

SachaSingh · #10 (**permalink**) 09-Aug-2012, 16:23 PM

Sorry to use this thread - as I am not familiar with how to create new threads - but If I may, I would like to add the following statement from 'Sikhs Against the EDL'.

Statement from 'Sikhs Aganist the EDL' on the subject of mass killings of innocent Sikhs by a racist, neo-Nazi, in Wisconsin, USA.

Following in the footsteps of Andres Brevik, the Norwegian neo-Nazi mass murderer who killed seventy-seven innocent young people in Norway a little over a year ago, a similar neo-Nazi has gunned down with equal brutality six worshippers at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the USA, in what is being called a domestic terrorist attack.

The killer, Wade Michael Page, who the US authorities say had strong ‘white supremacist’ links and was part of a far-right music group, himself was shot and killed by a police officer after failing to surrender.

Following the incident, the Sikh community in the USA is in a state of shock and messages of sympathy and support have poured in from around the world.
After Andres Brevik went on the killing spree, Tommy Robinson - the leader of a far-right English Defence League (EDL) which operates in the United Kingdom, made a series of disturbing statements praiseing his actions by saying: “whether you like it or not, that person was quite shrewd. What he did is despicable, but he managed to make people curious”. Robinson has also remarked that Breivik was rather tough as: “he dared to come forward with his opinions”. More so, anti-fascist groups such as Unite Against Fascism have linked several members of the EDL to existing and current white power groups operating in the UK.
Media reports have linked the senseless killings in Wisconsin to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and have claimed that violent hate crimes against Sikhs have occurred due to mistaken identity with Muslims because of the distinct Sikh appearance of wearing Turbans and unshorn beards. This sort of reporting in the media can send an indirect message that attack on Muslims are legitimate.

We are appalled at this careless reporting and believe mistaken identity cannot be used as a justification for these violent actions against any community. Attempts to isolate the Muslim community by far-right groups such as the EDL in the UK have recently been seen in the multicultural town of Luton, where the EDL attempted to hijack a Sikh community protest and turn it against the Muslim community.

Balwinder Singh Rana from the ‘Sikhs Against the EDL’ campaign said: “We are deeply saddened by the recent events at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin and send our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this cowardly, murderous act and we mourn for our fallen brothers and sister. The Sikh community in Wisconsin has shown tremendous courage in the face of this calamity and we stand with them in their hour of need.”
He further added: “The racists are trying to blame the minorities for all the problems and when they go looking for scapegoats we are an easily identifiable target. They also try to use their ‘divide & rule’ tactics and would like our communities to turn against each other. But now is the time for all minorities and white anti-racists to unite together and show to these racists that they would not win.”

Varinder Singh speaking on behalf of the Turban Campaign commented: "We are shocked at the acts of terrorism that have unfolded at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin over the past day. Our sincere condolences go out to all those affected by this senseless shooting. We are also alarmed at information received via the police authorities that the gunman was affiliated to far-right white supremacy and neo-Nazi groups. This once again highlights the need for proactive measures to be taken against far-right fascist extremism and to tackle Islamophobia."

*** ENDS ***

Additional Notes

There have been a number of racist murders following the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 and prior to 9/11.

According to a report issued by the Institute of Race Relations, there have been 96 racist murders of which 5 of those murdered were Sikhs including Surjit Singh Chhokar in 1998 and Santhokh ‘Peter’ Singh Sandhu in 2000.

Due to the deep and continuing worldwide economic crisis the racist and fascist parties such as the British Freedom Party and (Greek) Golden Dawn are on the increase in many countries and the racist attacks upon the minorities are also up in many countries.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/united-states/38903-us-flags-fly-half-staff-till.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903

“The threat of far-right extremism warrants more than lip service” home affairs select committee report as reported in the Guardian.

Sources of further information
http://www.irr.org.uk/news/96-murders-since-stephen-lawrences/
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/04/495342.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/06/far-right-threat-extremism
http://www.turbancampaign.com/updates/

linzer · #11 (**permalink**) 09-Aug-2012, 21:39 PM

[QUOTE=Ambarsaria;169260]

Let us be little practical and cautious in our conjectures.

So the best plan of action is one of inaction?

The gun control debate has been completely and I might say effectively hijacked by the N.R.A. through the use of fear.
I think it's time the issue was seriously addressed.
Here's a link on the topic.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-pol...op-gun-madness

Ambarsaria · #12 (**permalink**) 09-Aug-2012, 22:34 PM

[quote=linzer;169277]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambarsaria

Let us be little practical and cautious in our conjectures.

So the best plan of action is one of inaction?

The gun control debate has been completely and I might say effectively hijacked by the N.R.A. through the use of fear.
I think it's time the issue was seriously addressed.
Here's a link on the topic.
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-pol...op-gun-madness

Linzer veer ji I never suggested inaction. From a community perspective rather than polarize a segment of America with so called "Sikhs against Guns" perhaps we need to reflect and ensure that we address safety and security with the cards dealt to the Sikhs, say in America. I am no proponent of Guns but we also need to note that perhaps the divide in Sikhs in terms of Guns versus no Guns is no different than how it is for America overall. Do we not come from a land where the proliferation of firearms is out of control both legal and otherwise? So what leg we have to stand on to be preaching anything. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji does not suggest that you not protect yourself with means available to you which may include guns depending upon where you are.

Sat Sri Akal.

jasbirkaleka · #13 (**permalink**) 10-Aug-2012, 06:52 AM

animatedkhandaSatwant Singh Kaleka was related to me,so it is a personal loss to me.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903
But in a way I am also proud that he showed how a true Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh ji should act.

Gyani Jarnail Singh · #14 (**permalink**) 10-Aug-2012, 18:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasbirkaleka

animatedkhandaSatwant Singh Kaleka was related to me,so it is a personal loss to me.
But in a way I am also proud that he showed how a true Sikh of Guru Gobind Singh ji should act.

He was a real Sikh Hero. I also know another Kaleke..Ranjit Singh Kaleke, President of the Tatt Khalsa Diwan Kuala Lumpur who was the Prime Mover behind the Ultra Modern 6 storey Wisma Tatt Khalsa Building, car Park and Biggets Largest Guru nanak Darbar Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa In Kuala Lumpur. He passed away about 10 years ago...Because of hisi efforts the Tatt Khalsa Now has a very big INCOME form the Commercial 6 storey building/wedding hall/rooms for rent, car park rental etc. He was avery clsoe friend for nearly 10 years..a HERO too...in a different way !!! He was so sure of himself that he pledged his own luxurious Bungalow worth a few MILLION Malaysian Ringgit to the bank to secure a LOAN to construct the Guru nanak darbar Gurdwara costing 50 million MYR. The Commitee only managed to get the bungalow released back to his fmaily a few years AFTER he had passed away...thats true Personal SACRIFICE !! HEROISM of a different kind.

: redturban: I MISS HIM too..a true Sikh.

linzer · #15 (**permalink**) 10-Aug-2012, 20:40 PM

Ambarsariaji,
"Sikhs against Guns” ????
This is the kind of monosyllabic, catch phrase silliness that is dumbing down the politcs in States. There seems to be no room for reasonable dialog anymore.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903
Did you read the link I included?
Did you even read what I wrote?

I’m talking about sensible legislation limiting availability of semi- automatic weapons.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji does not suggest that you not protect yourself with means available to you which may include guns depending upon where you are.

Automatic weapons? Chemical weapons? Handheld rocket launchers? Tactical nuclear weapons? When does it become not okay?

Do we not come from a land where the proliferation of firearms is out of control both legal and otherwise? So what leg we have to stand on to be preaching anything.

You’re assuming too much here. Though I live in Mexico, I was born approximately 500 miles from where this crime took place. And who was preaching? You want to hear preaching!

In the last thirty years I witnessed the politics of the States be taken control of by the fanatical right wing of the Republican Party. Clinton was impeached because of affair with an aide while Bush lied to congress to invade another country and no one said a word.

Since the fall of the U.S.S.R. they've had no one to hate so they turned Muslims into the new communist. It’s now perfectly okay to say whatever horrible, derogatory, demeaning thing you want to as long as you say Muslim first. It makes me incredibly sad to see this happening. I grew up in a neighborhood of Whites, Blacks, Chinese, Pilipino, Cubans, Mexicans, Venezuelans and I had friends in all those groups. I thought I was seeing an end to the racism that my parents grew up with but I was wrong. It just went underground until it could be redirected.

Mitt Rommney refers to the Palestinians and Mexicans as having " border="0" alt="" />
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903
The United States is now almost to the point of being a failed state. Last year because of these same fanatical obstructionist idiots, they couldn’t even pass a budget and the government was at the point of closing down. The U.S. is cutting basic services like education, police, and firefighters and meanwhile they spend more on the military than all other countries in the world combined.
Gun Control is just one issue but there are so many more. I think it’s high time reasonable people started to action and take back the once great country that has been stolen by fanatics
There that’s preaching.

Ambarsaria · #16 (**permalink**) 10-Aug-2012, 21:49 PM

Brother Linzer you make sense and did so before. I see lot of good in your thoughts. I believe my only thought was that NRA is a big group of believers and of course a very strong Lobby. There is a very very large percentage of Americans who believe in less Government and freedom of all types.

The only issue is that we should be careful and not mis-direct ourselves and the community as a collective to pick sides and then be a minority that a segment of Americans hates or considers as non-American. To bear arms is a right and judicious execution of such a right needs to be given proper direction and eductaion.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=38903

I am not defending and I will never suggest that we do not participate actively. I believe you have directed specifically towards restriction on semi-automatics. I also see little value in such weapons.

Perhaps we need a separate thread on "weaponary" and its place in society. I will be happy if you want to lead such and I will contribute what I can too as appropriate.

Sat Sri Akal.