Balbir Singh Sodhi Embrace Diversity Memorial Event to Honor All Backlash Murder Victims
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MESA, AZ - September 5, 2002 – On September 14, 2002, the family of Balbir Singh Sodhi and the Sikh Community with the support of the Interfaith Community and the City of Mesa will host a extraordinary memorial event at Red Mountain Park, 7800 E. Brown Road, from 7 – 9 pm. The memorial event, built upon the theme of Embrace Diversity, will honor Balbir Singh Sodhi as well as the "unsung tragedies" – the other backlash murders that have happened since September 11th.
One year after Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot to death outside of his Mesa, AZ gas station, Sikhs across the country are still concerned that racial tensions may claim even more victims. Mesa citizen Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot and killed while planting flowers outside of his neighborhood gas station four days after the September 11th attacks. The alleged attacker proclaimed himself a patriot. Balbir Singh was targeted simply because of the way he looked. As a member of the Sikh faith, he wore a turban and beard.
In the year since, at least a dozen other murders in cities across the country have been identified by victims' rights advocacy groups as backlash murders. All of the victims were of Asian or Middle-Eastern decent, all involving murders where no property was stolen or touched.
The event will focus not only on these backlash incidents, but also on embracing diversity by building understanding and respect of people of different religions and cultures. In keeping with these themes, there will be participation from those government and interfaith leaders who have been most active in preventing further backlash and restoring our sense of humanity. In addition, the event will feature music, a candle light vigil, interactive activities and a complimentary meal.