Flags are being flown at half-staff across the country this week in honor of the victims of a shooting that claimed the lives of six worshipers at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin on Sunday.
The gunman was identified as Wade Michael Page. Page was a failed soldier who played in white supremacist heavy metal bands. He was shot to death by police.
The local Sikh community to hold a candlelight vigil in Hughson at 8 p.m. on Friday. The vigil is open to all at the Hughson Sikh Temple, 5713 E. Hatch Rd. For more information, call 538-4100.
"All the Sikhs in the Central Valley get together and going to have a candlelight vigil," said Harinder Grewal, of Keyes. "We're going to reach out. It's a hate crime, and together we should all stand united on this."
Grewal, a member of the Stanislaus County Fair Board and community activist, said that now is a time for educating the public on the Sikh community.
The Sikh religion, based in the Punjab region of Northwest India, believes in one god. Sikhs believe in equality for all - regardless of race, sex, social status, or religion - to the extent that one Sikh Guru was martyred for his support of Hindus.
Though nearly all turban-wearing Americans are Sikh, misconceptions led to widespread persecution in the days following 9/11.
"Regardless of anything else, we are Americans. That is how everyone should think," said Grewal.
The candlelight vigil is open to all and will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hughson Sikh Temple, 5713 E. Hatch Rd. For more information, call 538-4100.
The gunman was identified as Wade Michael Page. Page was a failed soldier who played in white supremacist heavy metal bands. He was shot to death by police.
The local Sikh community to hold a candlelight vigil in Hughson at 8 p.m. on Friday. The vigil is open to all at the Hughson Sikh Temple, 5713 E. Hatch Rd. For more information, call 538-4100.
"All the Sikhs in the Central Valley get together and going to have a candlelight vigil," said Harinder Grewal, of Keyes. "We're going to reach out. It's a hate crime, and together we should all stand united on this."
Grewal, a member of the Stanislaus County Fair Board and community activist, said that now is a time for educating the public on the Sikh community.
The Sikh religion, based in the Punjab region of Northwest India, believes in one god. Sikhs believe in equality for all - regardless of race, sex, social status, or religion - to the extent that one Sikh Guru was martyred for his support of Hindus.
Though nearly all turban-wearing Americans are Sikh, misconceptions led to widespread persecution in the days following 9/11.
"Regardless of anything else, we are Americans. That is how everyone should think," said Grewal.
The candlelight vigil is open to all and will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hughson Sikh Temple, 5713 E. Hatch Rd. For more information, call 538-4100.
