Sikh Temple shooting memorial events begin on Friday

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- Next Monday, August 5th marks the one-year anniversary of the Sikh Temple shooting. On August 5th, 2012, Wade Page entered the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek and opened fire, killing six. The Sikh Temple in Oak Creek has planned four days worth of activities to honor those whose lives were lost -- and they want you to get involved.

Members of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin believe the only way to fight violence is by coming together and sharing kindness and love, and that's what the four-day event is all about.

Six decorative wreaths near the Sikh Temple memorialize those killed when Page opened fire inside the Sikh Temple on a sunny Sunday morning last August.

Sikh temple victims

The six victims killed included one woman: Paramjit Kaur, 41; and five men: Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, the founder of the temple; Prakash Singh, 39, an assistant priest; Sita Singh, 41; Ranjit Singh, 49; and Suveg Singh, 84. Four of the victims were Indian nationals, while the rest were Americans.


Amardeep Kaleka lost his father and Temple President Satwant Kaleka in the massacre.

Since then, he and his brother, Pardeep Kaleka have dedicated their lives to religious and community enlightenment.

"Sikhism was founded unity and peace founded on basis of equality of all people," Pardeep Kaleka said.

To commemorate the lives lost and bring a greater sense of awareness, the Temple is hosting several events for the community beginning Friday, August 2nd.

"The first event, the Chardi Kala 6K, which means relentless optimism, which we recite constantly. In the face of all negativity, you must have optimism, you must have hope," Amardeep Kaleka said.

The 6K run takes place at Oak Creek High School on Saturday morning, August 3rd.

At the run will be survivors from similar tragedies, like that at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook and the Boston Marathon -- as well as a letter from President Obama, if not a video address and a number of other dignitaries.

"We`re having a candlelight vigil and remembrance on the field adjacent to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin where the new memorial will be built -- almost like a blessing for the field. Starts at 8:10 and 8:10 is where we started finding out who we lost and where those people were," Amardeep Kaleka said.

To sign up for a the 6K run/walk and for a full list of events, CLICK HERE.