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Saturday 11 August 2012

Dal Khalsa UK Thanks The American Nation For It's Support & Love They Have Given To Sikhs - Wisconsin Gurdwara Massacre

DAL KHALSA UK PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN THE SIKH NATION SO MUCH LOVE & SUPPORT IN THE LAST WEEK THROUGH THIS SPECIALLY DESIGNED POSTER WE HAVE MADE WE THANK THEM FROM THE DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS FOR THEIR LOVE & WORDS OF COMFORT - WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW SIKHS FEEL - BUT A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS - THANK YOU TO AMERICA & THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
 
 

Exclusive coverage of Oak Creek Wisconsin Sikh Massacre Vigil on 07 August 2012 - Part1



Friday 10 August 2012

We Are All Sikhs Americans Unite In Support Of The Sikh Nation - After The Wisconsin Gurdwara Massacre

WE ARE ALL SIKHS - THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE UNITED IN SUPPORT OF THE SIKH NATION
 
 

LIVE STREAMING OF THE ANTIM SANSKAR FUNERALS OF THE SIKH SHAHEEDS KILLED IN THE WISCONSIN GURDWARA MASSACRE

http://fox6now.com/on-air/live-streaming/



LIVE STREAMING OF THE FUNERALS - ANTIM SANSKAR BEING HELD RIGHT NOW FOR THE SIKHS WHO BECAME SHAHEED IN THE WISCONSIN SIKH GURDWARA MASSACRE WATCH NOW!

Dal Khalsa's letter to US Ambassador acknowledging positive response of American society‏

Amritsar- Dal Khalsa writes to US Ambassador Ms. Nancy Powell
acknowledging the massive positive response of American society to the
killing of 6 innocent Sikhs at the hands of a maverick who acted Satan
in Oak Creek, Milwaukee.
 
Recognizing US diplomat’s personal intervention at Gurdwara Bangla
Sahib in less than 24 hours of the ghastly crime, party’s spokesperson
Kanwar Pal Singh in a communiqué faxed to US Embassy in New Delhi said
as the Sikhs worldwide showed solidarity in sorrow, “your
government and President Barack Obama has demonstrated unique wisdom
in putting together a response and by ordering the US flag to fly half
mast till 10 August”.
 
Looking for more drastic measures to stop recurrence of such incidents
in future, he said the Sikh community hopes and prays that this will
be a one off incident, even though it is taking stock of hundreds of
others that happened since 9/11. “We however, believe that this
incident, particularly now after FBI statement that the killer
actually killed himself, is symptomatic of a much deeper insanity that
is lurking on US soil”.
 
The letter reads, “we have no doubts that the sentiments and emotions
of these vendors of hate is not commonplace, but we do believe that
while US tackles anti-humanitarian forces worldwide, it is time to
look within also, recognise such elements and neutralise them, before
they spread their tentacles of hate beyond the shores of the US.
 
Dal Khalsa letter has also asked the US diplomat to ignore the
photogenic protests in an unhealthy manner by a handful of Sikhs in
Delhi, as they are in no way representatives of the community, but
belong to groups who are assigned these tasks by the powers that be.

Dal Khalsa UK Condemns The Violence In Assam & Burma

WE CONDEMN THE ON GOING VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIMS IN ASSAM & BURMA,THE MAJORITY COMMUNITY IS OPENLY TAKING ADVANTAGES AND IS RAPING,MURDERING THE MINORITIES OPENLY
 

Fleeing violence, India's displaced face disease, death in camps


Villagers affected by ethnic riots, along with their children, are pictured at a relief camp near Kokrajhar town in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 25, 2012.REUTERS-Utpal Baruah
Villagers affected by ethnic riots rest inside a relief camp with their children at Bijni town in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 26, 2012. REUTERS-Utpal Baruah
Mon Aug 6, 2012 12:14pm BST
GUWAHATI, India, Aug 6 (AlertNet) - Hundreds of thousands of people sheltering in squalid, overcrowded camps in India's northeast desperately need food, water and medicines after fleeing some of the worst communal violence in a decade, officials and aid workers said on Monday.
At least 12 people, including four children, have died and thousands are sick with diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria caused by poor conditions in government-run camps in Assam state, where up to 400,000 people have taken refuge.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (C, in blue turban) speaks to the villagers affected by the ethnic riots at a relief camp near Kokrajhar town in the northeastern Indian state of Assam July 28, 2012. REUTERS-Stringer

"We are in a state of high alert," said Assam's Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "People in the camps are suffering from diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria and high fever. We are concerned about the condition of the babies and pregnant women."
Violence between Bodo tribespeople and Muslim settlers from neighbouring Bangladesh erupted on July 20 when unidentified men killed four Bodo youths. In retaliation, armed Bodos - which dominate Assam's Kokrajhar district - attacked Muslims, suspecting them of being behind the deaths.
The fighting has tested the ability of India's security forces to restore order in Assam, famed for its tea plantations and home to the constituency of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who visited the state in late July to appeal for calm.
So far 61 people have died - some hacked to death with machetes, while dozens of villages have been razed to the ground, forcing both Bodos and Muslims to flee to schools and community centres which have been converted into relief camps.
Sarma said around 8,000 children under two-years-old are sick, while hundreds of others have tested positive for malaria. There are also around 4,000 pregnant women in the camps who need medical support, he added.
FEARFUL TO RETURN HOME
Aid workers described the camps as "suffocating" with livestock living alongside people, few toilets and little access to clean water. Many people sleep in the open and women have little privacy, forced to wait for dawn or dusk to find a place outside to defecate.
Authorities have been overwhelmed by the numbers of displaced -- camps designed to accommodate 400 people are brimming with five times that amount, said aid workers.
"The government is lost and they are somewhat overwhelmed by the number of people who are displaced. They came in hordes and while relief is being distributed, it is totally inadequate," said Mrinal Gohain, northeast manager for the charity ActionAid.
Authorities are encouraging some of the displaced to return home, saying that the situation is under control with police and army patrols, as well as a curfew in some areas.
But aid workers distributing relief in the camps say survivors are too scared to return, especially after reports that five more people were killed over the weekend.
"There is a serious safety issue. Despite what the government says, people are traumatised and fearful and unwilling to return," said Geeta Majumdar from the charity Catholic Relief Services.
"Given the conditions inside the camps and the lack of security and safety outside, we are extremely concerned. Health is a priority and we are worried about epidemics occurring with such unsanitary conditions in such cramped spaces."
(AlertNet is a humanitarian news service run by Thomson Reuters Foundation. Visit www.trust.org/alertnet)

Dal Khalsa UK Invites You All To The Indian Independence Day Protest On August 15th In London


FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE 
http://www.facebook.com/events/327346000690531/


On the 15th of August 2012,Sikhs led by Council of Khalistan,Dal Khalsa UK,United Khalsa Dal & others,Kashmiris,Nagas,Ass
amese and all other Minorities will gather outside the Indian High in London.

The Protest will be against the Hindutva Indian State which celebrates it's modern day formation of the 'Union Of India' as Independence Day on the 15th.This is a black day for Sikhs & all other minorities who have been enslaved under the Hindutva State since August 15th 1947,all the voices for the freedom of
Minorities have been crushed through various Genocides and mass Human Rights Violations across what it known to be 'India'.

We invite you all to join us from 12 - 4pm outside the Indian High Commission in London to unite under one banner of Freedom & make the voices of all minorities heard to the World.Hindutva India can never crush the aspirations of Freedom for Sikhs,Kashmiris and other minorities.

NEVER FORGET 1984 - SIKH GENOCIDE
FREEDOM IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT - KHALISTAN ZINDABAD!

High Commission of India
India House
Aldwych
London
WC2B 4NA

By Underground:
Nearby stations include
Holborn (Piccadilly and Central Lines)
Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)
Charing Cross (Northern and Jubilee Lines)
Temple (Circle and District Lines)
By Bus: Some of the buses stopping close to the High Commission include 9, 11, 15, 23, 68, 77, 168.

Thursday 9 August 2012

Wisconsn Oak Creek Commuinty To Remember Those Sikh Lost In The Wisconsin Gurdwara Massacre

Christian Boy Inspired By Sikhi,Gurus 1984 Shaheedian Wants To Become Sikhs



BREAKING NEWS: US Federal Court Summons CM Punjab “BADAL” For Human Rights Violations

BREAKING NEWS: US Federal Court Summons CM Punjab “BADAL” For Human Rights Violations
New York: (August 8, 2012)
On August 8, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued Summons against visiting Chief Minister of the State of Punjab, Parkash Badal, on the charges of police custodial torture and shielding the Police officers, DGP Sumedh Saini and others who are responsible for the extra judicial killings and continuous human rights violations against the Sikh community in Punjab.  The lawsuit against visiting Indian Minsiter Badal is filed by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a human rights advocacy group, Shiromani Akali Dal SAD (Amritsar), an opposition political party in Punjab and individual victims of police torture has been docketed (12-C-0806) with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
The August 8 US Court summons against Chief Minister of the State of Punjab Badal gives him twenty one (21) days to answer the charges of torture, practice of impunity to the police officers responsible for extrajudicial killings and continuous human rights violations of Sikhs in the State of Punjab in India. The lawsuit against Minister Badal seeks jury trial and certification of ‘Class” consisting of individuals who have ever been tortured during Badal regime.
Parkash Badal has been head of the Government in the Indian State of Punjab for more than twelve years from 1997 till 2002 and from 2007 till present. During Badal’s tenure there have been several hundred cases of extrajudicial killings, police tortures and human rights violations. Not even a single police officer in charge and responsible for the extra judicial killings have been investigated or prosecuted by Badal administration. “Despite of overwhelming evidence available against Sumedh Saini for his role in torture and extrajudicial killings of Sikhs in the State of Punjab including the father and Uncle of Prof. Bhullar, Badal Government has promoted Saini to become DGP of Punjab instead of prosecuting him for his crimes”.
Citing the recent extrajudicial killings of Jaspal Singh in 2012, Sohan Singh in 2011, Shaminder Singh in 2011 and Darshan Singh in 2009, attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ stated that “Minister Badal is not only protecting the past acts of police torture and extrajudicial killings committed between 1984-1997 but also continuing with blatant human rights violations and acts of torture by the police and other security forces under his command”.
The complaint alleges that “The plaintiffs themselves or their legal representatives have suffered torture, cruel and inhuman treatment while residing in Indian State of Punjab, in the hands of Police and other law enforcement agencies that work under the orders and under the command and control of the defendant Parkash Singh BADAL (hereinafter “Badal”) who was and has been the Chief Minister of the State of Punjab during the periods from 1997 till 2002 and from 2007 till 2012.”
The lawsuit against Chief Minister of the State of Punjab Badal has been filed under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) and The Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) based on the defendant  authorized, commanded, or directed the unlawful acts of the security forces and Punjab Police operating under his command and authority. The Badal administration knew or should have known that the security forces and particularly Police of the State of Punjab of which he is and was head of the Executive during his tenure, committed acts of torture, abuse and inhuman and cruel treatment against the named and unnamed individual Defendants.
Jeet Singh, General Secretary of SAD (Amritsar) one of the plaintiffs alleges that due to his political activities from the platform of SAD-Mann, he was illegally detained, physically and mentally tortured and abused by the police and security forces operating under the orders of and under the command and control of CM Badal in 2008 and 2009.
The lawsuit alleges that Plaintiff SAD (Amritsar) is a political party in India, headed by Simranjit Singh Mann and is struggling to achieve Independent state Khalistan through peaceful and democratic means. The Plaintiff SAD-Mann moved the US Court on behalf of SAD-Mann members, officers and supporters who have been extra judicially killed, illegally detained, tortured and abused during the relevant times by the security forces in Punjab operating under orders, command and control of defendant Parkash Badal.
Attorney Pannun stated seeking relief under the ATCA and TVPA is motivated by an interest in seeking some form of justice for hundreds of victims who were killed extra judicially and have suffered torture during the tenure of Badal as CM of the State of Punjab, India. “The lawsuit will raise awareness to the international community regarding the torture and extrajudicial killings of Sikhs in the state of Punjab, India by the security forces and will send a strong message to political leaders that they will not be able to visit United States without being answerable to the International laws and the Courts for their role in gross human rights violations.” added attorney Pannun.
Another class action law suit {SFJ v. Congress (I) SDNY (10 CV 2940)},  filed by “Sikhs For Justice” and victims of Sikh Genocide under ATCA and TVPA is already pending with Southern District of New York against Minister Kamal Nath and Congress (I) the ruling political party of India for conspiring, aiding, abetting and carrying out Genocidal attacks on Sikh population of India in which more than thirty thousand Sikhs were killed during November 1984.

DAL KHALSA UK HONOURS SHAHEED BHAI SUKHDEV SINGH JI BABBAR ON HIS SHAHEEDI DAY





Lyrics below
Dhadhi Vaar by Tara Singh Adhiwala
Nit Nit Jumaney Neyo Soorey Singh Sukhdev Jayay
Brave Warriors like Sukhdev Singh Are Not Born Every Day
Jina Dil Vich Sacha Qaumi Pyaar Vasayaa
Who Had Instilled True Love for the Panth in His Heart

Chardi Umar Jawaani Jis Di Tataa Marai Paee
His youth Glows, Radiance in the Age of Youth, He Shone?
Puttar Sher, Pitha Da, Sheenee Ma Da Jayaa
His Fathers Brave Lion (Son), His Glorious Mothers Son

Singh Dasmesh Pita Da, Mukhi Soorma Babbar Da
Guru Gobind Singhs Son, the Warrior Jathedar of Babbar Khalsa
Jis Ney Babbaran Da Naam Duniya Vich Chamkayaa
His Actions Raised the Profile of the Babbar Khalsa throughout the World

Heera Sikh Qaum Da, Sathee Fauja Singh Da
The Diamond of the Sikh Panth, Companion of Bhai Fauja Singh
Jis Na Tatthar De Vich Sir Thee Peht Charayaa
(Bhai Fauja Singh) Who Gave His Head as a Sacrifice for the Panth In 78

Karnee Qaum Di Seva, Junglee Din Gujaar Da
Doing the Seva of the Panth, Even Enduring Days in the Jungle
Kale Singh Nay Aisa Vakhat Police Nau Paiyaa
This One Singh put the police through hell

Choundan Sala Thon See, Police Dhoond Dijodhay Nu,
For Over 14 Years the Police Was Hunting Him
Din Oh Bagan Da Jera Nau August Nau Ayaan
A Blessed Day When On The 9th Of August (He Embraced Martyrdom

Vajee Sat Kaaljai, Kehar Dekhay Nirankariyan Da
Deeply Hurt By the Nirankari Massacre of Sikhs In 1978
Kar Ardassan Jis Nay, Singhan'ch Naam Likhiyaa
He Did an Ardas and Enlisted Himself into the Babbar Khalsa

Tarkay Sees Talee Thai, Vich Madanay, Gaj Dayaaa
Placing His Head on His Palm, the Brave Lion Roared As He Entered the Battlefield
Qaum Ghadaran Nu Jis Dabh Kai Sodha Layaa
To Punish the Traitors of the Panth

Chathee Shalanee Karthee, Naal Goleea Sooray Di
The Warriors Chest Was Ripped Apart By Bullets
Jis Da Mul Papeean, Pachee Lakh Si Paayaa
The Price on His Head the Villains Had Placed Was 25 Lakh (£35,000)

Vekh Shaheedee Sher Di, Tarain Roundhay Ambara'cho
Seeing the Martydom of This Lion, Even the Stars in the Sky Cried
Oh Da Khoon Pavitar, Jo Chukh Mathai Nu Layaa
The Blood of a Martyr is Pure and Satkaarjog

Kithee Mukhpur Nay Ja Chugleee Akay Dhushman Nu
A Tout Went and Informed To the Enemy
Sara Payth Os Da, Police Nu Bataya
He Revealed All His Details to the Police

Akhay Police Valiyaina Khera Paya Sooray Nu
The Police Came and Surrounded the Warrior
Sangla Vich Nooriya, Sheenee Ma Da Jayaa
Niklee Pinda Vichon Artee Judho Jawaan Di,
When His Body Was Taken Out The Pind,
Mela Karan Nu Os Nu Sara Hi Jag Ayaa
The Whole World Came To Pay Respect

Sikhs Overwhelmed By Support Of The American People - Wisconsin Sikh Massacre



Dal Khalsa UK Honours Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Babbar - Jathedar Babbar Khalsa On His Shaheedi Day

DAL KHALSA UK HONOURS SHAHEED BHAI SUKHDEV SINGH JI BABBAR - JATHEDAR BABBAR KHALSA ON HIS SHAHEEDI DAY,A LEGENDARY SIKH FREEDOM FIGHTER WHO DIED FOR KHALISTAN,HERE IS A PIC OF DAL KHALSA'S BHAI SARBJIT SINGH GHUMAN MEETING BHAI SAHIB'S BROTHER & SISTER EARLIER THIS YEAR ਭਾਈ ਸੁਖਦੇਵ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੱਬਰ ਦੇ ਭੈਣ ਤੇ ਭਰਾ ਨਾਲ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ

Tuesday 7 August 2012

US Flags Fly At Half Mast In Respect Of Sikhs Killed In The Gurdwara Massacre In Wisconsin


Shaheed Martyr Satwant Singh Ji Kaleka

SHAHEED BHAI SATWANT SINGH JI KALEKA PRESIDENT OF WISCONSIN GURDWARA SAHIB A TRUE HERO & EXAMPLE OF WHAT A SIKH IS - A SAINT SOLDIER

Sikhs Don't Need The Support Or Protests Of Hindutva Political Parties/Akali Dals Or Political Agents Regarding The Wisoncsin Gurdwara Massacre


The Sikh Nation Worldwide is united in declaring that we do not need the statements and messages of so called support from Hindutva Political Parties/Akali Dal's in Panjab & India.These are the same people who have been responsible for the on-going Sikh Genocide since 1984,they cannot give us justice for that yet think they have the right to protest against America & burn American Flags,they have no right to do this and we openly condemn this people.Their sole aim is to cause more attacks on the Sikh Nation Worldwide by committing such dreadful acts which offend all Sikhs.The Sellout Jathedars,SGPC,Akali Dals,Hindutva Parties should not interfere in the affairs of Sikhs.
 The Sikh Nation is thankful to President Barack Obama,the American Government & American people for their kind support in this tragic time.

Dal Khalsa UK Condemns ALL POLITICAL PARTIES OF INDIA In The Wisconsin Gurdwara Massacre Issue

United Sikh Media Canada - Shooting at Wisconsin Sikh Temple #2



Obama Orders All US Flags To Be Flown At Half Mast In Respect Of Those Sikhs Who Became Shaheed In The Oak Creek Gurdwara Massacre


Monday 6 August 2012

Wisconsin Sikh temple gunman had 'white power links'


 

US authorities have said they are investigating reports that a gunman who killed six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin had white supremacist links.
Wade Michael Page, 40, who was gunned down by police during Sunday's attack near Milwaukee, reportedly performed in a far-right music group.
President Barack Obama said on Monday "soul searching" was needed about how to reduce violence in the US.
The FBI is treating the attack as a possible domestic terrorism case.
American Sikhs have reported being targeted since the 9/11 attacks, because they are mistaken for Muslims as a result of wearing turbans and beards.
Police chief John Edwards told a Monday morning news conference they were confident Page was the only shooter.
The gunman opened fire at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek as dozens of people were preparing for a service on Sunday morning.
'Frustrated neo-Nazi' Five men and a woman aged between 39 and 84 died. Four people were found dead inside the building, and two outside.
Edwards: Police officer was ambushed by shooter
Three others, including a policeman, remain in critical condition.
Chief Edwards said Lieutenant Brian Murphy, 51, had been tending to a victim at the scene when he was "ambushed" by the gunman.
The policeman was shot eight or nine times at "very close range", but was expected to recover.
The gunman also fired at a police car and ignored orders to drop his weapon, before he was shot dead outside by police, said the authorities.
Page used a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was recovered at the scene and had been bought legally, authorities said.
A civil rights group, the Southern Poverty Law Center, has described Page as a "frustrated neo-Nazi".
'Patterns of misconduct' The organisation said that in 2010, he told a white supremacist website that he had been part of the white-power music scene since 2000.

Sikhism at a glance

  • Sikhism is a monotheistic faith founded more than 500 years ago in South Asia
  • Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often wear turbans and beards
  • The faith has about 27m followers worldwide. There are up to 500,000 Sikhs in the US, where they have sometimes been confused with Muslims
  • The New York-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents of harassment or assault against Sikhs in the US since the 9/11
He left his native Colorado and joined a skinhead band, End Apathy, in 2005, the civil rights organisation said.
Page also tried to buy goods from the National Alliance in 2000, a US neo-Nazi organisation, reports Reuters news agency.
US officials said Page was a former US Army member who was discharged for "patterns of misconduct" after being reduced in rank from sergeant to specialist. He was declared ineligible to re-enlist.
He was reportedly disciplined in June 1998 for being drunk on duty.
A former psychological operations specialist and a Hawk Missile System repairman, he served in the US Army between April 1992 and October 1998, ending his career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On Sunday night, the authorities searched Page's house in the town of Cudahy, a few miles from the temple.
The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin was founded in 1997 and is said to have a congregation of about 400 worshippers.
Sikh activists in New Delhi, India 6 August 2012 Sikh activists in India have protested over the shootings
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is himself a Sikh, spoke of his shock on Monday at the shooting.
"That this senseless act of violence should be targeted at a place of religious worship is particularly painful," Mr Singh said.
Dozens of Sikhs have protested over the shootings in the Indian cities of New Delhi and Jammu.
Police in New York and Chicago said they had taken extra measures to monitor Sikh temples in those cities.
Wisconsin, which passed a law in 2011 allowing citizens to carry a concealed weapon, has some of the most permissive gun laws in the US.
The shooting follows the massacre of 12 cinema-goers by a gunman in Colorado last month.

WADE MICHAEL PAGE WHITE SUPREMACIST TERRORIST KILLER OF SIKHS

Man Wanted By The FBI In Connection With The Terrorist Massacre Of Sikhs In Wisconsin

Britain's Sikhs reeling from Wisconsin attack

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/06/uk-britain-sikhs-idUKBRE87515620120806

Britain's Sikhs reeling from Wisconsin attack


Mourners, including Amardeep Kaleka (C) whose father, temple president Satwant Kaleka, was killed, cry outside the scene of a mass shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, August 6, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress
LONDON | Mon Aug 6, 2012 8:45pm BST
(Reuters) - Devastated by the massacre of their brethren across the Atlantic, Britain's vast Sikh community blamed ignorance and racism for a rise in attacks on members of their religion since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
Sikhs say they have been singled out increasingly for harassment around the world since September 11, with attackers believing incorrectly that they are Muslim extremists because of their turbans and beards.
In the paranoid environment just after the 2005 London suicide bombings, many Sikhs were spotted wearing badges and stickers saying 'Don't freak, I'm a Sikh'.
Sunday's attack - in which a gunman killed six people at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin - has only confirmed their worst fears.
"It's just devastating," Ranjit Kaur, a Sikh mother of four, said as she reclined on the floor of one of Europe's biggest Sikh temples, known as Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, located in the ethnically mixed suburb of Southall in west London.
"Since 9/11 there is just no awareness as to who we are. Somehow people categorise us as Muslims, or radical Muslims. (My neighbours) here are a bit confused. A lot of them would come up and ask: 'Are you Muslim?'"
The confusion itself does not bother Kaur and other community members in Southall, where many spoke warmly about their Muslim neighbours and emphasised that a similar attack against a mosque would have been equally devastating.
But the Wisconsin massacre still sent a chill through the community where exactly a year ago a wave of violent riots in London prompted Sikh men to grab their ceremonial swords to protect their property and temples.
In Southall, one of Britain's most densely populated Sikh areas, Sikhs have lived peacefully for generations alongside other South Asian diasporas, Muslim and Hindu.
Sikh cafes and sari parlours stand next to Muslim butchers and kebab shops.
The Sikh temple's white and gold domes glitter in the sun above the bustling street, with white-bearded Sikh men in black turbans, women in pink and orange saris and Muslim men in flowing white robes rushing about on daily errands.
VULNERABLE
Indarjit Singh, a lawmaker in Britain's House of Lords who was the first Sikh to wear a turban in the upper house, said it was ignorance about their religion that worried him most.
"What concerns Sikhs is that, because (Osama) bin Laden wore a turban where most Muslims don't, people assume that Sikhs and Muslims are all the same," said Singh.
He said the Sikh community - which numbers about 330,000 people in Britain - has felt much more vulnerable since September 11, adding that he and many others had been taunted by people, while temples have been defaced and people threatened.
Some Sikhs in Southall said they tried not to venture out outside their community because the reaction of other Londoners was more unpredictable.
"In Southall, yes, it's all good, but in other places it's different," said Sukhraj Singh, a lanky teenager of 15, his head wrapped tightly in a black turban.
"Some friends of mine had a bad experience. In central London, if you walk with the turban, you might get discriminated, like, people would say something rude, young kids. But here its all fine, people get along."
His mother, Binder Singh, standing next to him, looked worried as she listened to her son and shook her head. Asked about her view, she just said: "If it happened in America, it could happen in London."
But many community members emphasised that the long-standing presence of Sikhs in Britain meant the average British person knew more about them.
Sikh bikers in turbans are exempted from wearing crash helmets in Britain. Sikhs, whose religion was founded by Guru Nanak Dev in Punjab in the 15th century, also fought alongside British troops in the Burma campaign of World War Two.
Those warm memories are still intact, and many Sikhs said a Wisconsin-style attack could not happen in Britain.
"Britain and Sikhs have a long history stretching back over 200 years, so there is a far better understanding of Sikhs in the UK, but when you go across to Europe confusion persists, while in the US it is the worst," said Gurmel Singh, Secretary General of Sikh Council UK.
In Southall, the idea of unity among religions and ethnic groups runs deep among community members.
A giant colourful mural depicting communal scenes from mosques, Sikh temples, churches and libraries dominates one of the central streets, and members of various religious groups could be seen shopping in local stored together.
"There is freedom here. Sikhs, Muslims, Hindu, we are all fine," said Adnan Sayed, who runs a Muslim halal meat shop. "After the night service at the mosque, people go home and there is never a problem. In this area there will never be a problem like that."
(The story corrects year of London bombings to 2005 in paragraph 3.)
(Additional reporting by Alessandra Prentice; Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Peter Graff)

Dal Khalsa turns 34: Articulating the cause of Sikh Nationalism

Dal Khalsa turns 34: Articulating the cause of Sikh Nationalism
 
 
On 6th August 1997, on the occasion of its 19th foundation day, Dal
Khalsa counsel wrote a letter to Indian Home Minister declaring the
revival of the organization as a political group in Punjab after being
on a low for a decade and so. Fortunately, the ban imposed on the
organization in 1982 was lapsed in 1994. The comeback was not easy for
the organization that nurture ambition to establish sovereign
self-rule for Sikhs and whose leader is perceived to be “guest” of
unfriendly country.
 
Many fingers went up the air. Some pro-militant groups dubbed such a
step as turning a back to the armed struggle while the adversaries
blamed it as a new phenomenon to disturb peace in Punjab. Our own
compatriots rued that this was being done with the help of the ‘state’
to defuse the fighting spirit of Sikhs whereas New Delhi portrayed it
as a new design of the hostile neighbour.
 
However, we decided to give a new shape to the struggle, not under any
pressure or weakness. We decided to give politics a try, totally on
our own after due deliberations and consideration with a keen sense of
history. While taking this decision, we were very much aware of the
difficulties and accusations. The foremost thing that we kept in mind
was that our decision should not become an instrument in the hands of
the government to again perpetrate atrocities on the Sikh people.
 
On 6th Aug 1998, after a gap of 17 years, a public function was held
in Amritsar. There it announced the beginning of a democratic struggle
for the establishment of a homeland for the Sikhs.
 
9/11 occurred. After the tragic event, the American and the European
governments and media changed the meaning of “terrorism”. Freedom
seeking organizations and peoples across the world became the victims
of the new enlarged definition of “terrorism”. Those movements, which
were not even remotely related with 9/11, also became victim to this
new meaning.
In the wake of the attack on the Indian Parliament on 13 December
2001, a list of 20 most wanted terrorists was handed over to Pakistan.
In the list, our party head S Gajinder Singh’s name was included. The
decision of the Indian government surprised us. It made us restless.
We wrote a letter to the Indian Home Minister to protest the inclusion
of Gajinder Singh’s name in the most wanted list.
 
Again to our surprise, in the “list of 50 most wanted persons”,  which
India handed over to Pakistan on March 28 and released to the media on
May 11, 2011, the name of Gajinder Singh was excluded.  We wrote to
Indian Home Minister on May 19 acknowledging the deletion of the name
of our leader –Gajinder Singh. It was a clear substantiation that
inclusion of his name in the earlier lists was a faux pas as was
pointed out by us in our earlier missives to the Home Ministry.
 
Since August 1997, we have achieved a lot. Equally, we have missed a
lot. We have certain confessions to make. Despite putting hard and
sincere efforts, we failed to transform the Dal Khalsa into a mass
base party because of our hardliner image and the tendency of the
people to stick with the power that be.
 
Our approach towards any Akali Dal is based upon our past experience
and the lessons drawn from it. We do not follow a policy of conflict
with any of the Akali faction. According to us, every party has the
right to function in accordance with its ideals. Despite our
ideological differences, we want to maintain a co-operative approach
with all. However, we do not condone alignment
of any Akali Dal with anti-Sikh political party.
 
The Dal Khalsa does not aim for any temporary power. We know our
destiny. Our aim is the rejuvenation of a religious, cultural and
political movement so that Sikhs could play their unique role. We are
not in haste to achieve anything in a jiffy. It is not even possible.
We are aware that in the present political scenario, this path is very
difficult.
 
After 14 years of detention in Pakistani prison in hijacking case and
15 years of self-exile, Gajinder Singh was asked just how many years
he was prepared to sacrifice more for the sake of his mission
‘Khalistan’. “That could take a long time, he replied. ‘It could take
all my life.’ He has always emphasized in his political commentaries
that it’s just a question of being persistent. One has to see that
success is achieved by a lot of hard work.
 
Dal Khalsa has turned 34 today. Born on 6th August 1978 at a
conference held at Gurdwara Akalgarh in Chandigarh, the organization
is in the prime of youth today. The work that gave us a sense of
satisfaction includes the compilation of the Directory of June 1984
martyrs, that gives personal details of all Sikh fighters who died
protecting the honour of the Darbar Sahib in June 1984. We played a
constructive role in building circumstances ensuring the construction
of “June 84 Martyrs Memorial” becomes inevitable.
 
Criticism is what Dal Khalsa has been used to it since its inception.
In 1978, a Congress tag was attached with us to malign our Panthic
credentials. This blinkered vision still continues. There is no dearth
of Indian writers and historians who have contributed a lot in
spreading this rumour ad nauseam. Since 1981, the Indian rulers and
the state propaganda have been trying to portray Dal Khalsa as a
"dogmatic and trouble-maker".
 
Undeterred by such hollow allegations and false propaganda, we stood
by our principles. We knew that path to freedom is always destined to
be long and tortuous. We are conscious of future problems and
difficulties. We are also aware of our responsibilities to maintain
peace and brotherhood amongst the people of Punjab irrespective of
religion, caste and creed.
 
By- Kanwar Pal Singh
Spokesperson
Dal Khalsa
06-08-12

United Sikh Media Canada's Statement On The Terrorist Massacre Of Sikhs In Wisconsin

Hindutva Terrorists In Canada Blame Jathedar Rajoana & Sikhs For Massacre

Sikh Gurdwara shooter was 'white supremacist' former soldier who went on gun rampage that left seven dead in act of 'domestic terror'

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184038/Mass-shooting-Sikh-temple-At-seven-dead-dozens-injured-gunman-launches-killing-spree-hes-shot-dead-police.html

Sikh Gurdwara shooter was 'white supremacist' former soldier who went on gun rampage that left seven dead in act of 'domestic terror'

  • Six people dead after man opened fire inside Sikh temple on Sunday morning
  • Families were arriving for morning service in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
  • Gunman then killed by police officer after he shot at him
  • Victims include temple president Satwant Kaleka, 65, who tried to stop him
  • Priest Parkash Singh, in his thirties, also killed
  • Police officer in hospital after being ambushed helping a victim
  • Three victims in hospital with life-threatening injuries
  • FBI searches home in Cudahy, blocking off surrounding streets
By Laura Pullman, Michael Zennie and Louise Boyle
|

The skinhead former soldier who killed six people and critically wounded three at a Sikh temple yesterday before police shot him dead could have been part of a violent race hate group, sources say.
Witnesses said a tall, bald, white man in his 40s opened fire just before services, entering the kitchen at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in suburban Milwaukee at about 10.30am as women prepared a Sunday meal.
It sent worshippers fleeing to escape the barrage - with many hiding in cupboards and texting the outside world begging for help.
He is said to have had a 9/11 tattoo, marking the September 11, 2001 attacks by Islamic militants - and has been described in some quarters as a 'white supremacist'.
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Distraught: A woman waits for news of family members after a shooting on Sunday at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin
Distraught: A woman waits for news of family members after a shooting on Sunday at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin

Critical condition: The president of the temple, Satwant Kaleka, was shot by the gunman and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries
Critical condition: The president of the temple, Satwant Kaleka, was shot by the gunman and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries
'He had tattoos, I don't know what the exact markings were, or if they represented any of his beliefs or what they stood for,' said Thomas Ahern, of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Four people were shot dead inside the sprawling temple. Three more, including the gunman, were killed outside.
The gunman ambushed and shot a police officer who was responding to a 911 call and helping a shooting victim, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said. A second officer shot and killed the gunman.

The wounded officer, a 20-year veteran, was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive. Hospital officials said two other victims, also in critical condition, were being treated.
Authorities did not release the name of the suspect. They said the shooter had used a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was recovered at the scene. Officials were tracing origin of the weapon, Ahern said.
Police surrounded and searched a grey, two-storey house in the Cudahy neighborhood, presumed to be the residence of the gunman on Sunday evening.
Protection: Heavily armored police officers patrol the entrance to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, the scene of multiple shootings in Oak Creek
Protection: Heavily armored police officers patrol the entrance to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, the scene of multiple shootings in Oak Creek

Lock down: Police outside the Sikh temple where a gunman opened fire on families who had gathered for a morning prayer service
Lock down: Police outside the Sikh temple where a gunman opened fire on families who had gathered for a morning prayer service
Generators and floodlights were set up along the middle-class block. A police source confirmed that a search warrant had been issued for the house, and a bomb squad was on the scene.
Temple member and U.S. Army Reserve combat medic Jagpal Singh, 29, said people who were at the service when the shooting broke out described to him a scene of chaos and confusion.
Worshippers scrambled to escape the gunfire, but some tragically ran in the wrong direction. Others survived the rampage by locking themselves in bathrooms, he said.
Family and friends of the victims gathered in the basement of a nearby bowling alley as they waited for their loved ones to be identified.
One victim was the temple's president, 65-year-old Satwant Kaleka who died as he tried to 'knife and tackle' the shooter. Another was Parkash Singh, a priest in his thirties, and a married father-of-two.



There were reports the gunman had been in the Army. According to a woman, who said she was the mother of the shooter's landlord, the suspect had recently broke up with his girlfriend, Patch reported.
The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh-American civil rights organisation, urged caution over the gunman's motive while the police investigation was ongoing.
Grief: A distraught women is comforted outside of the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin after the shooting rampage on Sunday
Grief: A distraught women is comforted outside of the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin after the shooting rampage on Sunday

Armed: A police officer on high alert outside a home in Cudahy, Wisconsin believed to belong to the unidentified shooter
Vehicles: The FBI arrived in the neighbourhood with armoured trucks and a bomb disposal unit
Armed: Police officers and FBI on high alert outside a home in Cudahy, Wisconsin believed to belong to the unidentified shooter
Executive director Sapreet Kaur said: 'There have been multiple hate crime shootings within the Sikh community in recent years and the natural impulse of our community is to unfortunately assume the same in this case.
'Let’s let law enforcement investigate the case and as new facts emerge the dialogue can change. Americans died today in a senseless act of violence and Americans of all faiths should stand in unified support with their Sikh brothers and sisters.'

SIKHS UNDER ATTACK

Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Sikh community has found itself at greater risk from religiously-motivated hate crimes.
Last year, two elderly Sikhs were shot dead in the street in Sacramento, California.
A taxi driver was beaten up in the same area by attackers yelling racially-motivated abuse.
This year, the building site of a Sikh temple - a gurudwara - in Michigan was vandalized while a Sikh family in Washington received hate mail threatening violence.
Lawmakers have been so concerned in the increased number of threats made to Sikhs that they have urged the Justice Department to open an investigation.
Parkash Singh, a priest at the temple, was among the dead. Manminder Sethi who worships at the temple, told the Journal-Sentinel: 'He was a good guy, a noble soul.'
The deceased, who was believed to be in his thirties, had lived in Oak Creek for several years and recently brought his wife, daughter and son from India to live with him in the U.S. 
The tragic incident comes just two weeks after the mass shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado where 12 people and an unborn baby died and 58 were injured.
Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said it wasn't clear how many people had been shot.
Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said the officers had responded to a 911 call about the shooting when they were ambushed.
The officer has been taken to hospital where he is undergoing surgery although he is expected to survive.
Edwards said the officers 'stopped a tragedy that could have been a lot worse'.
Dr Lee Biblo, the chief medical officer at the hospital said they were well prepared to treat the three seriously wounded as it is a level one trauma center.
He said one victim had suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Another had been shot multiple times in the face and extremities while the third man had been shot in the neck.
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Massacre: Police have confirmed seven people have been killed at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin including the gunman and unconfirmed reports say as many as 20 - 30 people have been injured

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SWAT: After shooting down the suspected gunman, tactical teams moved inside the temple to rescue those in hiding and those injured
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Terrified: Crowds of friends and relatives gathered outside the temple desperate for more information on the massacre
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Horrific: At least six victims have been killed in the shootings. Witnesses describe a chaotic situation with an unknown number of victims, suspects and possible hostages
Lost in prayer: Amardeep Kaleka, whose father Satwant Kaleka was shot, prays in the parking lot while waiting for information
Lost in prayer: Amardeep Kaleka, whose father Satwant Kaleka was shot, prays in the parking lot while waiting for information
President Barack Obama released a statement saying he and Michelle were 'deeply saddened' to learn of the tragedy.
'At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded,' he said in a statement.
'My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation.
'As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.'
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney also issued a statement, calling the shootings 'a senseless act of violence'.

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Fears: Armed police investigate the Sikh Temple where it was initially believed that there was more than one gunman
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Targeted: The shooting took place around 10.30 Sunday morning at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. At least seven people have been killed, including the gunman who was shot by a police officer. It is not clear how many people have been injured
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Desperation: Petrified women who said they have family members in the Sikh temple wait anxiously for more information as people remain trapped in the building

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker condemned the attack at the temple and asked the people of his state to pray for the victims.
'Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence,' he said.
'I ask everyone to join us in praying for the victims and their families, praying for the safety of our law enforcement and first responder professionals and praying for strength and healing for this entire community and our state.'
A vigil has been organised for 8pm this evening to show support for the victims and their families in Cathedral Square Park, Milwaukee.
Grief: A distraught women is helped to a car outside of the Sikh temple in Oak Creek after multiple people were shot
Grief: A distraught women is helped to a car outside of the Sikh temple in Oak Creek after multiple people were shot

Prayers: A girl with her father stand at the candlelight vigil in Milwaukee on Sunday night after six victims were fatally shot
Prayers: A girl with her father stand at the candlelight vigil in Milwaukee on Sunday night after six victims were fatally shot

WHAT IS SIKHISM?

Sikhs make up a very small, but rapidly-growing, segment of the population in the United States.
Sikhism is one of the world's major faiths, with more than 30 million followers across the globe - mostly in India.
There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the United States and the faith has been widely misunderstood and targeted for discrimination - especially in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Sikhism was founded 500 years ago in the Punjab region of modern India and Pakistan by Guru Nanak Dev.
He, and nine successive Gurus who revealed the faith, advocated the equality of all peoples.
Sikhs believe in the importance of having a relationship with God through prayer and observance of the laws of God.
Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often cover their heads with turbans and refrain from shaving their beards.
Turbans are sacred garments and Sikhs believe them to be one and the same with their bodies when they are worn.
The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the US since 9/11, which advocates blame on anti-Islamic sentiment.
The temple has a 400-500 congregation and many families were arriving for a meditation service when the attacker struck this morning.
It is estimated that 20 to 30 people were inside the temple when the gunman opened fire.
There was an 11.30 service scheduled which was expected to be attended by hundreds.
Oak Creek is south of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan.
Sikh rights groups have reported a rise in bias attacks since September 11. The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the U.S. since 9/11, which advocates blame on anti-Islamic sentiment.
Sikhs don't practice the same religion as Muslims, but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates said. 
The Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement which said that American Muslims 'stand with their Sikh brothers and sisters' following the deadly shooting.
Sikhs in Milwaukee have been the targets of attacks in their community as recently as last fall.
Religious leaders asked state lawmakers to visit the temple after a string of robberies and vandalism appeared to target businesses owned by Sikhs.
The attacks were part of a string of mob-like riots in a neighborhood that left several people badly beaten.
State Rep Josh Zepnick and District Attorney John Chisholm visited the temple in September and condemned the violence.
In New York City, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly ordered a police presence at Sikh temples today.
Remembrance: Seven people were dead and dozens injured after the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Remembrance: Seven people were dead and dozens injured after the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Love and support: People light candles during a vigil to honor victims of Oak Creek in downtown Milwaukee
Love and support: People light candles during a vigil to honor victims of Oak Creek in downtown Milwaukee
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It is estimated that 20 to 30 people were inside the temple when the gunman opened fire. There was an 11.30 service scheduled which was expected to be attended by hundreds

Sikh
Sikh
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said: 'The coverage is being put in place out of an abundance of caution.'
The shooting was described as 'domestic terrorism' - a phrase that was not used in the Aurora, Colorado attack.
FBI defines terrorism as 'the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives'.

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith that was founded in South Asia more than 500 years ago.
It has roughly 27 million followers worldwide. Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often cover their heads with turbans - which are considered sacred - and refrain from shaving their beards.
There are roughly 500,000 Sikhs in the U.S. The majority worldwide live in India. The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin has more than 400 members.
It was established in Milwaukee in 1997 with just two dozen families and grew quickly in the last 15 years.
In 2007, a new temple was built in Oak Creek on 13 acres outside Milwaukee city limits.
The 17,500-square-foot temple included a much larger parking lot and worship area, as well as a library, a nursery and a play area for children.
This is the second horrific mass shooting in a matter of weeks.
On July 20, James Holmes, a 23-year-old graduate student, allegedly killed 12 people and an unborn child and wounded 58 others when he walked into a midnight screening of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in Aurora, Colorado.
Another shooting massacre will only increase calls for tighter gun control legislation to make it more difficult to for people to buy firearms and place restrictions on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.

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12 ambulances arrived at the scene; it is not yet clear how many people were injured

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Distraught: A man wipes away tears as details of the horrifying massacre continue to emerge  

Dal Khalsa UK Pray & Remember The Shaheeds (Martyrs) Of The Terrorist Massacre Of Sikhs In Wisconsin Gurdwara Sahib


Sikh Channel Live Update On Terrorist Massacre Of Sikhs In Wisconsin USA

EVERYONE WATCH SIKH CHANNEL 840 NOW! LIVE UPDATES ON THE TERRORST MASSACRE OF SIKHS IN THE USA - WATCH WORLDWIDE ON http://www.sikhchannel.tv/

Sikh Gurdwara Shooting: 'Domestic Terrorism'


http://youtu.be/J4MZSXNAS2U

Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara shooting – live updates

Wisconsin Sikh Gurdwara shooting – live updates

• 7 killed including shooter; 3 wounded in morning shooting
• Police chief: a "domestic terrorist-type incident"
• Police move on residence believed to be tied to shooter
• FBI takes over criminal investigation
wisconsin sikh shooting
A woman awaits word on the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Photograph: Jeffrey Phelps/AP
4.45pm: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. We'll be bringing you updates as the details unfold. Here's a summary of where things stand:
At least six victims are dead and several wounded after a gunman opened fire this morning at the temple in Oak Creek, a Lake Michigan shore town outside Milwaukee. A responding officer is believed to have shot the gunman dead. The officer, described as a 20-year-veteran, was wounded and was being treated at hospital. His condition was unknown.
Four people were killed inside the temple and three, including the gunman, outside. The gunman was described by witnesses as a white male in his 30s.
In a news conference a police spokesman sought to correct early reports of multiple gunmen. "At this time we have not identified any additional gunman," he said. He warned that the situation was "extremely fluid." "We got multiple calls and multiple reports," he said. "It's possible the multiple reports were of the same person."
The shooting comes 16 days after 12 were killed and 58 wounded in a shooting in Colorado at a premiere of the latest Batman movie. The suspect, a 24-year-old former student, is in custody and undergoing preliminary court hearings.
At the moment, the motives for the shooting are not clear. We will follow developments here as details emerge. Police are due to hold another press conference soon, and details will start to emerge of how the incident unfolded.
Meanwhile here's our latest news story on the incident.
4.58pm: The FBI is on the scene of the temple shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
The local Froedtert hospital told local station WISN they are treating 3 people injured in the shooting, all men, WISN's Tom Swigert reports.
Children's classes were scheduled to begin at 11:30 am, according to WISN. The shooting started around 10:20am.
5.05pm: President Barack Obama has issued a statement on the shooting in Wisconsin. Here is the statement:
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.


Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has issued a statement too:
Ann and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of today's shooting in Wisconsin. This was a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Oak Creek Sikh community. We join Americans everywhere in mourning those who lost their lives and in prayer for healing in the difficult days ahead.
Is it offensive to suggest that both men must by now have a generic template document offering words of consolation and succor in the event of a mass shooting in the states?
5.10pm: The police in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, are holding a news conference on the shooting.
Attending are:
Brad Wentlandt, police chief of Greenfield, a neighboring community.
Chief John Edwards of the Oak Creek PD.
Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi
Oak Creek Fire Chief Tom Rosandich
Richard Schmidt of the Sherriff's Office
John Chisholm, the Milwaukee County District Attorney
Special Agent Thomas Ahern
Teresa Carlson, special agent in charge of FBI
5.20pm: Chief John Edwards of the Oak Creek PD is speaking to the press. He says:
"Because of the heroic action of our officers, they stopped this from being worse than it could have been."
Edwards says the officers responded to a 911 call, where they found a victim. Their officer, a 20-year-veteran, was ambushed and shot multiple times by the suspect. The officer is in surgery now. "We expect him to recover," Edwards says.
"Another officer on the scene was engaged by the suspect," Edwards says. "Our officer engaged that individual and that individual is deceased from actions our officer took. ... It could have been a lot worse."
"It has taken all day to clear the area... we have numerous individuals that are deceased at this point."
Edwards says the FBI will be handling criminal incident.
"We're treating it as a domestic terrorist type incident." Edwards said there were seven deceased and "three injured including our officer."
The chief has no info on the suspect: "I don't have any information for you on the suspect."
The chief takes questions:
He's asked what he means by "domestic terrorism": "Domestic terrorism is somebody who's doing some active terrorism within the US. Not from another country."
He's asked about the weapon: "The weapon is not yet known. Not clear if multiple."
He's asked if the temple is clear: "No one left in the temple. That is a crime scene."
Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi speaks briefly: The city is outraged. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. We are thankful for the officers who responded. He pledges cooperation
5.26pm: The Oak Creek police chief described how the suspect in the shooting was killed.
A 20-year veteran of the police force responded to a call of a shooting at the temple and found a victim outside. While treating the victim the officer was ambushed by the gunman and shot multiple times. A second officer then shot the gunman dead.
The officer shot by the gunman is in surgery and is expected to recover.
The chief, John Edwards, said he has no information on the suspect but described the incident as a "domestic terrorist-type incident," meaning perpetrated by a US citizen within the United States.
5.34pm: Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said three were wounded in the shooting, including the veteran police officer who was among the first to respond.
Among those who were shot was the president of the temple, Satwant Kaleka, who was taken to a hospital.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
has reported that the temple president, Satwant Kaleka, was shot and transported to the hospital.
5.36pm: Police Chief Edwards said he had no information on the suspect, who was killed at the scene, in what he called an act of "domestic terrorism."
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel quotes a temple member on the shooter's identity:
One of the temple's committee members, Ven Boba Ri, said that based on communication with people inside the temple, the shooter was a white male in his 30s.
5.40pm: Oak Creek community members are organizing a vigil tonight for the victims of the shooting and their families and loved ones.
A Facebook page for the vigil is here. A message on the page calls on community members to "come together for a vigil and spread peace and show support for the victims and family members of the Sikh Temple Shootings."
The vigil is scheduled for 8pm at Cathedral Square Park in Milwaukee.
5.46pm: Local law enforcement met with leaders of the Sikh temple in Oak Creek last year following a series of disturbing crimes apparently targeting Sikhs in the area.
The Oak Creek Patch reported last August:
State Rep. Josh Zepnick and District Attorney John Chisholm visited the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, 7512 S. Howell Ave., on Sunday to discuss public safety issues in the Sikh community.
Satwant Singh Kaleka, president of the Sikh Temple, requested the meeting after the July 4 melee in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, according to a news release from Zepnick's office. Those incidents included the looting of at least one Sikh-owned business.
Singh Kaleka told local officials that what was seen in Riverwest has become too common at gas stations and convenience stores owned by members of the Sikh community. Many businesses and workers have been the victims of robberies and vandalism, he said.
(via @BuzzFeedAndrew)
6.00pm: A man interviewed outside the temple has told local WISN news that the shooting victims may have been members of the temple who came early to help prepare a large community lunch to be held after services.

Two children were the first to see the shooter
outside the temple and the first to warn temple members what was happening, the witness said.

"It was a boy and a girl who were sitting outside. The girl was from the family who was hosting the lunch today. The first shot that the shooter took was just like some firework [the children thought].
"He shot the two people who actually came out of the cab and they were entering the church. These two kids [ran inside and alerted members]."
The witness said he spoke to the children and they described the gunman:
"One guy, blue pants, white shirt, white guy, little heavy, who was taking these shots."
"People who got injured were mostly employees of the church" who'd arrived early to prepare lunch, he said.
The name of the interviewee was not supplied by WISN.
6.03pm: The man interviewed by WISN news who had been inside the temple said that after the shooting started "it was chaos."
"There are four sections to the church," the interviewee said. "One for the shoes. One where we worship. One for community lunch where everybody sits and eats food."
"There were some families who locked themselves in the bathroom. There were some who locked themselves in the kitchen area."
The man says he does not think the shooting was motivated by hatred of religion:
"I don't think this person has anything to do with religion. He just came out and started shooting like all other psychos we have heard about who have done other things in the past."
6.10pm: Local news station WISN is at Froedtert hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
A reporter says one victim was shot in the neck and is in surgery. One is shot in abdomen and chest. One is shot in face and arm.
6.14pm: Residents are being evacuated from the neighborhood of Cudahy, Wisconsin, WISN reports.
Milwaukee police and the FBI are active in the area. Residents have not been told why they are being evacuated, WISN reported.
Cudahy is near Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. WISN speculated that police were investigating the suspect's residence.
6.21pm: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tweeted Sunday that he told President Obama that the FBI was "part of an excellent team effort of local, state & federal authorities on site."
Walker's office later released this statement:
While the situation in Oak Creek continues to develop rapidly, we are working with the FBI and local law enforcement. I became aware of the situation late this morning and continue to receive updated briefings.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence.
At the same time, we are filled with gratitude for our first responders, who show bravery and selflessness as they put aside their own safety to protect our neighbors and friends.
Tonette and I ask everyone to join us in praying for the victims and their families, praying for the safety of our law enforcement and first responder professionals and praying for strength and healing for this entire community and our state.
6.36pm: The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh American civil rights organization in the U.S., has released a statement with background information about the temple, or Gudwara, in Oak Creek:
The Gudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin was founded in 1997 and had over 400 peaceful worshipers that worked and lived in the greater Milwaukee area. The Gudwara, known as being a wonderful neighbor, had come to represent the valued contributions of the Sikh faith in a community where Sikhism was understood to be another contributing fabric in the cloth of American plurality.
The impulse is to assume that the attack is a hate crime, coalition director Sapreet Kaur is quoted as saying:
There have been multiple hate crime shootings within the Sikh community in recent years and the natural impulse of our community is to unfortunately assume the same in this case. Let's let law enforcement investigate the case and as new facts emerge the dialogue can change. Americans died today in a senseless act of violence and Americans of all faiths should stand in unified support with their Sikh brothers and sisters.
The coalition statement supplies statistics on Sikhism:
With over 25 million followers worldwide, Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, with over 500,000 followers in the U.S. For more information on Sikhism please visit our website here.
6.41pm: Jaisal Noor has put together a report for Democracy Now! on violence and harassment against the Sikh community since 9/11.
The violence began directly after the 9/11 attacks, on Sept. 15, 2001, when Balbir Singh Sodhi, a gas station owner, was murdered in Mesa, Arizona, by a man who apparently wanted revenge for the attacks and associated Sikhism, which originates in India, with the mutant Islam associated with the attacks, with its roots in Saudi Arabia.

6.47pm: The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that law enforcement authorities have arrived outside of a home in Cudahy, Wisc., a town about 5 miles north of Oak Creek. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also reportedly outside the home.
7.00pm: We're going to wrap up our live blog coverage of the shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. We have just published an updated news item here. Here's a summary of where things stand:
A gunman killed six victims and wounded three, including a police officer, at the temple before being shot dead by a second police officer. The three wounded were being treated at hospital and were expected to survive.
Authorities were at the scene of a home in the Milwaukee area believed to be connected with the shooter.
The gunman was described by a man who spoke to eye witnesses as white, in his 30s, "a little heavy," wearing blue pants and a white shirt. He is believed to have acted alone. Police said "weapons" were recovered inside the temple but had no further information.
A man at the temple told local news station WISN that two children saw the suspect shoot two people exiting a taxi outside the temple. The children, who were unharmed, then ran inside to warn congregants about the shooter.
The Sikh Coalition noted an impulse to assume the act was a hate crime. Sikhs have regularly been singled out for hate crime attacks since 9/11.
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