CALL FOR VIGIL AFTER US SHOOTINGS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Call for vigil after US shootings

Former High Sheriff of Leicestershire Resham Singh Sandhu has called for multi-faith vigils to be held on Sunday in memory of the six people killed at a Sikh temple in the USA.

They were shot by former US soldier Wade Michael Page, 40, in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek last Sunday.

Page is understood to have killed himself.

Mr Sandhu, chairman of the British Sikh Association and The Sikh Welfare and Cultural society, said: "The entire Sikh community has been affected by the senseless shooting of innocent devotees at a gurdwara.

"We stand in solidarity and admire the strength shown by the victims, survivors and Sikh Americans nationwide.

"We want to make sure authorities in America and other parts of the world ensure Sikhs are safe and free to live their day-to-day lives and continue their worship peacefully.

"We request all Sikhs and other religious leaders to continue remembering those affected by the Oak Creek attack in their daily prayers.

"It would be a fitting tribute if Sikhs across the globe could organise inter-faith vigils this coming Sunday."

He thanked Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Christian groups, plus President Barak Obama and the prime minister of India for sending their condolences and condemning the attack.

The article doesn't mention that Resham Singh Sandhu is a former Chair and current Director of Leicester Council of Faiths. Nor is it stated that Leicester Council of Faiths is holding an open-air public prayer vigil (along with Leicester Sikh Alliance) for the victims and survivors of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shootings in Town Hall Square, Sunday 12 August at 1900.  This is a public event, to which all well-wishers are welcome.