WASHINGTON, D.C.: A prominent Californian leader has requested people of the Sacramento region in the state to wear a turban for a day to show solidarity with the Sikh community in the wake of two elderly members being shot at early this month, killing one of them.
Darrell Steinberg, Democratic president pro tem of the California Senate, went to a Sikh Temple in West Sacramento Mar. 13 along with several other Californian leaders and officials to express their solidarity with the local Sikh community who are shocked and outraged at the killings.
In his remarks, Steinberg suggested that the Sacramento region choose a date on which everyone, Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike, would wear a turban or other clothing associated with Sikhism.
Following Steinberg's appeal, the Sikh Temple and the community announced that April 13 would be observed as "We are all Sikhs."
On April 13, president pro tempore Steinberg will wear a turban in solidarity with the Sikh community, a media release said.
"We are humbled by the support of president pro tempore Steinberg," said Darshan Mundy, public affairs director of the Sikh Temple, Sacramento.
Among those present at the meeting were U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner and Elk Grove Mayor Steven Detrick, who expressed sympathy and outrage for the Mar. 4 attack that resulted in the death of Surinder Singh, 68, and critically injuring Gurmej Atwal, 78.
AP adds from Sacramento: The Sacramento Bee reports that several hundred mourners showed up at a Sacramento funeral home March 12 to pay their last respects to Surinder Singh.
Police are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime potentially linked to the men's appearance. Both men were Sikhs and wore turbans and sported long beards.
No arrests have been made, but the reward for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in the case has surpassed the $50,000 mark. Local Jewish organizations have added $10,000. The total represents support from more than a dozen groups.
The two elderly victims might have been perceived as Muslim because of their appearance.
Earlier March 7, local religious leaders pleaded for the community to come forward with leads but also said they will not be deterred by violence.
“Our community will continue to wear our turbans proudly,” said Navi Kaur, the granddaughter of Surinder Singh.
They were walking through their neighborhood in Elk Grove March 4 afternoon when someone in what witnesses described as a pickup truck opened fire.
During a news conference March 7 at a Sikh temple, a spokesman said the recent violence has scared some temple-goers into concealing any indicators of their religion.
Sikhs often are mistaken for Muslims and have been the subject of occasional violence across the country since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“The enemies of the United States don't wear turbans in the United States,” said Amar Shergill, a Sikh leader and attorney. “They don't want to be singled out. The result is that Sikh Americans since 9-11 have borne the brunt of violent hate crimes.”
Sikhs draw particular attention because of their traditional beards and turbans, which are mistakenly associated with Islamic terrorists.
As the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches, several people at the March 7 news conference drew links between the Sacramento-area crimes and national and international developments. From unrest in North Africa to congressional hearings on radicalization of Muslims in the U.S., speakers warned of an increasingly hostile climate.
“It is getting ugly,” said Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “And like I said, who suffers the most is the Sikh community because of unfortunately people's ignorance.”
The Elk Grove police department said the shooting would be the first targeting Sikhs in the city if it turns out to be a hate crime. Police also said they would meet with FBI officials, a routine move when a hate crime is suspected.
Police said March 7 they are looking for a tan or beige Ford F150 pickup truck made between 1999 and 2003.
On Mar. 11, hundreds of people attended a candle light peace march at the place where Singh and Atwal were shot at in Elk Grove on Mar. 4.