Balbir Singh Sodhi
Waheguruji Ka Khalsa, Waheguruji Ki Fateh!
Memorial Service
at the Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, El Sobrante, California
Sunday, October 7, 2001
| On
September 15, 2001 Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot to death outside of his
gas station in Mesa, Arizona. The FBI and local law enforcement have
classified his death as an official hate crime in wake of the tragic events
of September 11th. Balbir was killed for no apparent reason other
than the fact he was a turbaned Sikh.
A long time friend of Ajmer and his family, Balbir was a wonderful human being who always sought to help others in his community. His smile and generosity will sorely be missed by all those that knew and loved him. The senseless deaths of both Balbir and Ajmer have left a huge hole in our hearts, but their memory and legacy lives on with us all. In times like these, we rely heavily upon the love and support of friends and family alike. On Sunday, October 7, 2001 a memorial service was held at Gurdwara Sahib El Sobrante to honor Balbir and his family. Nearly one thousand Sikhs from all over the San Francisco Bay Area gathered alongside several elected officials to condemn such senseless acts of violence, especially those motivated out of misguided hate and fear. Here now, are some photographs taken during the service. |
Harpreet Singh
Sandhu introduces the Sodhi family to the press
Harjit Singh Sodhi, Brother of Balbir
Addresses the Press
The Sodhi Family
San
Francisco East Bay Officials
Grieve
for Mr. Sodhi
Congressman George Miller and State Senator
Tom Torlakson
Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County, Ca. |
God Bless You Balbir Singh Sodhi | 
Loni Hancock, Mayor Emeritus, City of Berkeley |
Waheguruji Ka Khalsa, Waheguruji Ki Fateh!
|
Thousands join family in honoring slain Sikh Sept. 23, 2001 "We are mourning this tragedy with you,"
Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker said. "We are warm-hearted Americans who deplore
violence." (more)
SIKH
REPRESENTATIVES MEET U.S. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
Under the Dome of The Capitol. Three Months to the Day. The Sikhs Remember and Move Forward. It was an evening to remember in Washington. On Tuesday, December 11, three months to the day, after the September 11 Tragedy, Sikh Leadership of all ages from the across the United States and Canada gathered under the dome of U.S. Capitol Building for the First Annual "One Nation United Memorial Program" sponsored by the Washington based Sikh Council on Religion and Education. They came to remember, to pray and to stand together as a community.... A Memorial Service and Tribute was paid to the countless victims and heroes of the September 11th Tragedy and its aftermath. Balbir Singh Sodhi, the first person to be killed as a result of 9/11, in Mesa, Arizona hate crime was a focal point of the solemn ceremony. |
Photos by Charles Engel