Balbir Singh Sodhi Embrace Diversity Memorial Event: Video Clips
From the Balbir Singh Sodhi Embrace Diversity Memorial Event held September 14, 2002 in Mesa, AZ.
Selected clips:
Chorus group singing at the memorial
SikhNet helped to sponsor and promote the Balbir Singh Sodhi Embrace Diversity Memorial Event that was held on September 14, 2002 in Red Mountain Park in Mesa, AZ. This evening event lasted a little over two hours and featured government and interfaith leaders, as well as interfaith music.
Notables such as United Nations Secretary General Kofi A. Annan, United States President George W. Bush and Vice Chairman for the National Commission for Minorities of India Tarlochan Singh sent in special messages for the event.
Among the featured speakers for the event were Jethadar Sahib Bhai Manjit Singh of Keshghaar Sahib and Joseph Zogby from the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC.
The Sodhi family focused the Memorial not just on the hate crime killing of Balbir Singh, but also on 17 other suspected victims of backlash murders that had occurred over the last year. The event, along with the focus on raising awareness on backlash crimes, drew the attention of the national media and the story was covered by the Washington Post, USA Today, the AP Wire and MSNBC. In addition, press throughout Arizona and the Bay Area in California gave significant attention to the memorial event.
Over 1500 people attended the event. The event took place in a beautiful park in Mesa in the evening. There were exhibits and interactive activities set up around the park, including a special candle-lit vigil that honored Balbir Singh Sodhi, Sukhpal Singh Sodhi and 17 other suspected backlash murder victims.
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