By Taryn Smith
Victims of the 2015 Charleston church shooting
Shooting
Hate crimes against LGBTQ people happen every single day in every state.
"In the face of hate and violence, we will love one another."
Our condolences go out to the police department and the families of Metro Officers Igor Soldo and Alyn Beck and bystander Joseph Wilcox in Las Vegas, who were murdered by anti-government white supremacists on Sunday, June 8 at a shoot out in a pizza parlor and Wal-Mart store.
These killings beg the question: What can we do as communities to respond and prevent violent eruptions of anti - government extremism and bigotry?
From Oak Creek Patch: About 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Sunday night at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin for victims of the Newtown school shootings. Credit: Mark Schaaf
Oak Creek Stands for NewtownMass shootings are happening all too often across the country, and no one knows this better than the residents of those communities affected.
The residents of Oak Creek, WI, understand the pain these shootings cause—just four months ago, a white supremacist shot and killed six people at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.
That’s why Oak Creek stood with Newtown, CT, on Sunday, holding a vigil to remember the 26 people killed in a shooting rampage at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. Read the full story about the vigil on Oak Creek Patch.
Photo: Katie Sokoler/Gothamist
Lights have been rising throughout the community of Oak Creek and beyond in commemoration and honor of the fallen - six individuals shot last Sunday at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin.
Since the tragic killings, mourners of diverse backgrounds and religions have united in a number of candlelight vigils, from the immediate Sunday and then Tuesday night vigils in Oak Creek, to the vigils across the nation, of which more than 100 took place this week alone. A memorial service was held Friday morning for the six victims.
Friday's service took place at Oak Creek High School and drew hundreds of attendees wearing scarves over their heads in honor of Sikh tradition. Six coffins adorned with flowers stood in the gym, next to large, framed portraits of the deceased. A video projection commemorated the dead and wounded.
Mourners write messages to the victims on the 12 respective
crosses that line the street across from the crime scene.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
In the midst of shock and mourning over the recent tragedy, the Aurora, Colo. community proves to be a site of immense strength.
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW YOU CAN STAND WITH TUCSON.
This week, in the wake of tragedy, Tucson witnessed—and inspired—an amazing coming-together of people by the tens of thousands. In both grief and solidarity, the people of Tucson have hosted vigils and memorials, with cities around the country following suit. They have created online groups and organized on-the-ground action. There are angels watching over the families of victims and cyclists whizzing through the streets. Yesterday evening, more than 26,000 attended the public memorial in Tucson at the University of Arizona, including President Obama.
When these days become a museum exhibit hall centuries from now, what will it say about us? And what will it say about this past Saturday? Was it the start of something terrible? Or of something amazing?
—Ulises Silva, Being Latino
This week we remember those who were killed and wounded in Tucson, Ariz. in an assassination attempt on U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The majority of Americans grieve together. No matter how you view these events, this is a pivotal moment.
