August 5, 2026 (Oak Creek, Wisconsin) — Fourteen years ago today, the deadliest act of anti-Sikh hate in our nation’s history occurred in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. A white supremacist gunman with neo-Nazi ties attacked the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a local gurdwara, ultimately leading to the deaths of seven sangat members and wounding others.

Today, the Sikh Coalition joins the Oak Creek sangat—which has exemplified the chardi kala spirit since 2012—and Sikhs across the nation to commemorate this anniversary. We honor the memories of Paramjit Kaur Saini, Sita Singh, Ranjit Singh, Prakash Singh, Suveg Singh Khattra, and Satwant Singh Kaleka, who were killed on August 5, 2012, as well as Baba Punjab Singh, who became the seventh person to pass away as a result of injuries sustained during the shooting in 2020. We also remain inspired by those who persevered through life-altering injuries—including Bhai Santokh Singh and Lt. Brian Murphy—and many others whose lives were forever changed by the trauma of the attack.

Over the years, the Sikh Coalition has been honored by the opportunity to participate in numerous commemorations of the tragedy in Oak Creek.

• In 2023, we shared a new lesson plan about Sikh American history created in collaboration with Dr. Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal of the Sikh American History Project and focused on how our community has been impacted by anti-Sikh hate.
• In 2022, to make the 10-year anniversary, we collaborated closely with the Oak Creek sangat and partners on a vigil and series of additional events at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. We accompanied these events on the ground with programming across the country and online, including a congressional briefing, a learning hub developed with the Revolutionary Love Project, a National Day of Seva, and more.
• From 2013 to 2019, we conducted multiple National Day of Seva campaigns, as well as provided support for the Oak Creek sangat’s Chardhi Kala 6K Memorial Run/Walk.
• And in 2012, we worked with the office of Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to elevate the stories of the Oak Creek families, including Harpreet Singh Saini—the son of Paramjit Kaur Saini—who delivered powerful testimony before the U.S. Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary.

Fourteen years after Oak Creek, there is no denying that the modern American political and cultural landscape presents serious threats and challenges. Earlier this year, the Sikh Coalition responded to a wave of anti-Sikh sentiment being pushed by leading media figures and government officials; we have also led the way in fights to protect vulnerable members of our sangat, including truckers and immigrants, from harmful policy changes. At the same time, we continue to make gains in advancing inclusive education in public schools, partnering with different faith communities to support measures that can better secure our houses of worship, and raising Sikh awareness more broadly—all of which combats the hate and bigotry that fuel attacks like that on Oak Creek. We remain committed to all of this work, and grateful to our sangat for your support, investment, and engagement.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.