Supporters gathered at McAllister Park this past Saturday, August 1st 2015, for the annual Unity 5K Run/Walk, which was hosted by the Sikhs of San Antonio and the San Antonio Road Runners (SARR). This 5K was organized in remembrance of those who have been tragically lost to hate violence led by mass shootings that have occurred around the country.
While the Unity 5K began as a remembrance of those lost at the Sikh Temple shootings in Oak Creek Wisconsin in 2012, this year the groups remembered those lost in the recent shootings in Charleston, SC and Chattanooga, TN.
"We are all fortunate to lie in the best country on the face of the Earth," Balwinder Dhillon, one of the organizer said. "However, it's unfortunate that we have to preach about equality in this day and age. No excuse is good enough to justify any innocent killing."
City Councilman Ron Nirenberg has been a continuous supporter of events held by the Sikh community, and attended the event to show his enthusiasm for the Unity Run/Walk.
"The Sikh community nationwide, but certainly in San Antonio has provided an example for us on how to treat each other like neighbors," Nirenberg said. "So it's no surprise to me that in response to these terrible events that have been happening around the country that the Sikh community has been one of the first to stand up and create an event that brings people together. San Antonio in general has been there for the Sikh community and the Sikh community, without fail, has been there for San Antonio."
Equality is a core tenet of the Sikh faith, and is the driving principle behind continuing to host this annual Unity 5K. Sikhs believe that every person should be treated with love and respect regardless of religion, race, gender, or caste.
"Our beliefs may be different, we may look different, our ways of worship may be different, but we all worship the same Lord," Dhillon said. "We all are sons and daughters of the same Lord."
Thanks to city council, San Antonio Road Runners, organizers and participants to support this noble cause.
We all know that killing of innocent people is an act of ignorance. If we can revert even one such hate event by spreading the word of love and respect, our efforts are well worth it.