Artesia's South Asian Network Offers Help to Sikh Community Following Oak Creek Temple Massacre

The Artesia-based South Asian Network (SAN) is offering support and counseling services to the local Sikh community as well as other South Asian peoples in the aftermath of Sunday's slayings at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee, where six people and the alleged gunman were killed.

Three other people, including a police officer, were critically wounded by the suspect -- Wade Michael Page, a 40-year-old Army veteran and suspected white supremacist -- in the Aug. 5 shooting in Oak Creek, a suburb south of Milwaukee.

Below is the full text from a letter written by SAN Executive Director, Manjusha P. Kulkarni. 

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Dear Friends,

We are writing to express our great sadness about the tragic events which took place yesterday in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  As many of you know, a shooting occurred at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin and took the lives of six innocent members of the South Asian community, leaving several others injured. Details are emerging about the killer and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
 
SAN is outraged by this horrific act of violence against the community. But, it is not simply an attack on Sikh Americans, but an attack on all Americans who believe in tolerance and the free exercise of religion. The incident is yet another reminder that after 9/11, we must remain vigilant about protecting our rights and the rights of others.

We at SAN also want to extend our deepest sympathies for the victims and their families. We are working with members of the local Sikh community as well as other South Asian organizations around the country to respond to the needs of the community.  Our staff members are available to help in any way we can. We offer the following services:

• emotional support and counseling
• case management
• legal referrals

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help.  Our phone number is (562) 403-0488.

Sincerely,
Manjusha P. Kulkarni
Executive Director
South Asian Network

* The South Asian Network -- a grassroots, community-based organization with offices based at 18173 Pioneer Blvd., Suite I in Artesia -- is dedicated to advancing the health, empowerment and solidarity of persons of South Asian descent in Southern California.

For more information about SAN, call the organization directly at (562) 403-0488 or click here to visit their website.