Thousands mourn Sikh victims
- 12 years ago
Thousands of mourners packed into a high school in Wisconsin to pay tribute to the six Sikh worshippers killed in a shooting rampage.
The memorial drew several prominent political leaders including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"But I am here, on behalf of the President of the United States, on behalf of my colleagues at the United States Department of Justice and on behalf of the American people to stand with you, to mourn with you and to pray with you."
He described the shooting as an act of terrorism and a hate crime.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"Unfortunately for the Sikh community, this sort of violence has become all too common in recent years. In the recent past, too many Sikhs have been targeted and victimized simply because of who they are, how they look and what they believe. It is wrong, it is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated."
The gunmen, 40-year-old U.S. Army veteran Wade Michael Page was shot in the stomach by a police officer before shooting himself in the head, according to authorities.
The motive for his attack on the temple is still not clear.
The memorial drew several prominent political leaders including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"But I am here, on behalf of the President of the United States, on behalf of my colleagues at the United States Department of Justice and on behalf of the American people to stand with you, to mourn with you and to pray with you."
He described the shooting as an act of terrorism and a hate crime.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER SAYING:
"Unfortunately for the Sikh community, this sort of violence has become all too common in recent years. In the recent past, too many Sikhs have been targeted and victimized simply because of who they are, how they look and what they believe. It is wrong, it is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated."
The gunmen, 40-year-old U.S. Army veteran Wade Michael Page was shot in the stomach by a police officer before shooting himself in the head, according to authorities.
The motive for his attack on the temple is still not clear.