August 3, 2022 (Oak Creek, WI) – After months of preparation, the week of the Oak Creek anniversary has arrived. From tomorrow until Sunday, August 4 to 7, the Oak Creek sangat will hold a series of commemorative events to honor the 10-year anniversary of the attack on their gurdwara on August 5, 2012. As a reminder, a remembrance vigil, which is open to the public, will be held on this Friday on August 5. Details are as follows:
WHAT: 10th Annual Oak Creek Sikh Memorial Anniversary Candlelight Remembrance Vigil
WHEN: Friday, August 5, 2022. The vigil will run from 6 PM to 9 PM CT, with speakers from 6 PM to 8 PM.
WHERE: The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, located at 7512 S. Howell Ave, located in Oak Creek, WI 53154 (Please note that this event will be held outdoors).
WHO: There will be speeches, prayers, music, poetry, and reflections by impacted families, interfaith leaders, and elected officials from 6 PM to 8 PM. Mayor Bukiewicz, former police officer Lt. Brian Murphy (who responded to the shooting), and affected family members are slated to speak, with additional guests invited. At 8 PM, there will be a candle lighting.
For those who are not able to attend, use
this link to livestream.
Other events under the Heal. Unite. Act. theme will also be held throughout the weekend:
Tomorrow, a forum on
Healing from Hate and Protecting Places of Worship, led by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and the Department of Justice Community Relations Service, will be held at Oak Creek City Hall (8040 S. 6th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154) from 6 PM to 9 PM CT.
Click here to see the full schedule and register to attend.
On Saturday, August 6, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will host a
Chardi Kala Community Event that will include interfaith conversations, workshops, turban tying, blood donations, and more from 11 AM to 3 PM CT. The event is free, but pre-registration is required for some workshops. For a full schedule, and to register for workshops,
click here.
On Sunday, August 7, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin will conclude the
Akhand Path and begin kirtan at 10:30 AM CT.
Please note that all commemorative in-person services around the Oak Creek 10-year anniversary are being led by the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, with additional programming, marketing, and community engagement support from the Sikh Coalition, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. The direct support is for the explicit purpose of centering the Oak Creek Sikh community.
Finally, all events will follow Wisconsin state public health guidance as it relates to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and masks and hand sanitizer will be available for attendees to use as needed.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
