Temple Shooting Anniversary Brings Sikhs From Abroad to Oak Creek

Sikhs from around the world converged on the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek Sunday to remember those who lost their lives in a tragic shooting there nearly a year ago.

Thousands of Sikhs across the country and the rest of the world, from places like Canada, Europe and India, came to the temple for the culmination of remembrances for the victims, one temple member said.

Sunday's services at the temple were part of the Akhand Path, a continuous reading of Sikh scripture. According to Kanwardeep Singh Kaleka, Sunday's tributes are meant to remember all who died in the shooting on Aug. 5, 2012 — even gunman Wade Michael Page.

"You can feel the energy," Kaleka said. "There's a tremendous amount of almost happiness and resilience in finding peace through the community — basically knowing that these souls are with God now."

The temple was packed Sunday — nearly wall-to-wall — with members of the Sikh and Oak Creek communities who came to remember those who died in the shooting. Regardless of their own religions, those in attendance all covered their heads and removed their shoes in accordance with Sikh traditions.

Following the religious ceremonies, there was a series of brief speeches from the temple president, some local politicians and Governor Scott Walker, who compared the resilience of the Sikh community to the collective American response to the 9/11 attacks.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness," Walker said quoting Martin Luther King, Jr., noting that the Sikh community did not resort to hatred when faced with last year's tragedy.