Sikh temple shooting called 'an American tragedy' at Houston vigil

Simjeet Kaur, 5, lights her candle from Supreet Singh, right, during a candlelight vigil Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in Houston outside City Hall to remember the victims of the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin. Simjeet Kaur, 5, lights her candle from Supreet Singh, right, during a candlelight vigil Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in Houston outside City Hall to remember the victims of the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin. Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Sikh temple shooting called 'an American tragedy' at Houston vigil 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

It began as a single candle, lighted in honor of the slain members of a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee.

Then the fire was passed from person to person until the plaza at Houston's city hall was awash in flickering candlelight.

The area around the Hermann Square reflecting pool is often the scene of political protests, festivals and celebrations, but on Thursday night it was where hundreds gathered to show their support for the Sikh community.

"This is not a Sikh tragedy. This is an American tragedy," said Bobby Singh, a community volunteer. "People fear what they don't know or understand."

The vigil was one of two events in Houston on Thursday in response to the killings.

Earlier, local Sikhs joined Houston Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in calling for more scrutiny of hate crimes against their community, adding that Houston is an unusually tolerant city.

"I have never had a problem in my job," said Hardial Singh Mangat, president of Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, one of Houston's half-dozen Sikh temples.

Jackson Lee is pressing the Justice Department to launch a task force investigation into attacks on the Sikh community in the wake of the killings. The congresswoman asked Attorney General Eric Holder to look into the number of attacks nationwide to "determine if additional law enforcement resources need to be put into place" to protect Sikhs.

She told Holder in her letter that the Justice Department should "establish procedures to address incidences impacting targeted communities based on race or religion."

The alleged shooter, Wade Michael Page, 40, committed suicide after being wounded by a police officer. Evidence gathered by federal and state authorities has linked Page to white supremacist groups.

The FBI's special agent in charge in Milwaukee, Teresa Carlson, said investigators have not linked Page to any other suspects or found any note left by Page.

Back in Houston, Sikh leaders, political figures and representatives of other religious traditions joined Mayor Annise Parker on the steps of City Hall at the vigil.

Manmeet Likhari said members of Houston's Sikh community can be found in all professions, from doctors and lawyers to business entrepreneurs.

"We are proud to be Americans. We are fearless in believing in equal rights for all," she said. "These are American values (and) human values."

Not all those bearing the lighted candles were Sikhs. Longtime Houston resident Judith Snively came to show her support.

"When I came (to Houston) 30 years ago, this wouldn't have happened," Snively said. "It's a beginning but we need to do so much more."

Mangat, standing with Jackson Lee in front of the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse, said he worked nine years for a construction company that helped build Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

"Before I was hired I told them, 'I want to be exempt from wearing a hard hat,' " he said. "They said, 'No problem.' "

Observant Sikh men do not cut their hair or beards and wear turbans.

Because of their distinctive appearance, Sikhs have been targeted more frequently since the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Jackson Lee said in her letter to Holder.

But in Houston, the Sikh community of about 5,000 has escaped violence, Mangat said.

Manmeet Likhari encouraged non-Sikhs in Houston to visit one of their temples.

"The love and support of our friends and neighbors has begun to heal the wounds," she said. "Forgiveness is essential for us to move on."

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