7th Anniv of Oak Creek Shooting: US Lawmakers Pledge to Work Against Hate Crime

Washington, Aug 8 (PTI) On the seventh anniversary of the Oak Creek gurdwara mass shooting, over half a dozen lawmakers pledged to continue to advocate for stricter gun control laws and comprehensive background checks.

Several people and organisations in the US are demanding stricter gun control laws following the recent shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, California which left 34 dead.

In Oak Creek on August 5, 2012, six people were killed after a man opened fire in a gurudwara.

“Seven years ago, six innocent Sikhs were murdered in their place of worship by an act of senseless violence. Any attack on a community of faith must be wholly condemned. These moments transcend political boundaries and personal beliefs,” Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna said.

In honour of those who died at Oak Creek, as well as those who were brutally murdered in El Paso, Dayton, and Gilroy over the last week, "I will continue to advocate for stricter gun control laws and comprehensive background checks”, Khanna said. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said, it has been seven years since the deadly attack at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and tragically, mass shootings like this one are on the rise across in the country.

"We are seeing the real, devastating effects of a lack of sensible gun reform,” she said.

The president's "dangerous racist and xenophobic rhetoric fans the flames of hate and violence against our communities, and Republicans remain unwilling to pass common sense gun-reform legislation," Jayapal alleged.

She said her colleagues and she remain committed to addressing rising hate violence against Muslims, Sikhs and South Asian communities, and all immigrant communities of color.

Jayapal also said they remain committed to advancing a legislation to curb gun violence.

Remembering the victims of the Oak Creek shooting, Wisconsin Congresswoman Judy Chu said this act of domestic terrorism was committed by a "white supremacist who was driven by prejudice and bigotry".

“Unfortunately, the shootings this past week in El Paso, Dayton, and Gilroy are harrowing reminders of how little progress we have made in addressing domestic terrorism and gun violence since the Oak Creek shooting,” she said.

"Though we cannot weed out hatred and racism overnight, we must continue to denounce racial and religious intolerance, especially when it comes from our nation's highest office,” Chu said.

The lawmaker has demanded that the Congress take action to address gun violence so that these tragedies do not continue recur.

“Seven years ago, six Sikh Americans lost their lives in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Sadly, as we just saw over the weekend, the racism and xenophobia that drove the attack on the gurdwara still permeates in our society today,” Congresswoman Grace Meng said.

She called on the Senate to follow the House and immediately pass Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation

"On this anniversary, we must reaffirm our commitment to rejecting all forms of hate whenever and wherever it occurs. We must come together to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their race, religion, or country of origin, feel safe in this country they call home," Meng said.

This tragic event is a reminder that the mission is to create a more just, understanding and welcoming world, is never over, Congressman Gil Cisneros said.

"Our country's strength is in the diversity of our people, including our Sikh, Muslim, South Asian, and Middle Eastern communities," the lawmaker said.

Congressman TJ Cox urged all Americans to stand united to help tackle this cycle of violence and call it for what it is – domestic terrorism.

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