Last Friday a Sikh man was shot in Kent by a perpetrator who allegedly told the victim to “go back to your own country.”
Sen. Joe Fain invited guests from the Sikh community to the state Senate on Tuesday so lawmakers representing all of Washington could stand in solidarity and Sikh Priest Gurmeet aingh could lead the Senate in its opening prayer.
“Sikh values are American values,” said singh, during prayer.
“Our community was shocked by the events recently,” said Fain, R-Auburn, who represents Kent and District 47, from the Senate floor. “As one community, one state Senate and one state of Washington it was important to be able to say in one voice that we appreciate you, we stand by you and we’re very thankful for your presence here today.”
Sikh Priest Gurmeet singh, Harchinder singh sandhu, Balbir singh and Sam Virk visited the Capitol and addressed the Senate.
“Whether someone was born here or immigrated from another country, if he or she is here to work, raise a family, gain citizenship, start a business, pay taxes, volunteer for others, or otherwise build a sense of community as many members of the Sikh community have, then this is – by definition – their own country,” Fain said.
“We protect those we share our country with and will stand against those who use hate and violence to spread fear in our neighborhoods,” Fain said. “While I have every confidence that the Kent Police will bring justice to this matter, there is a larger justice that we must continually work to secure. One that extinguishes prejudice through engagement and understanding.”
The victim is recovering after being shot in the arm and the FBI is working with the Kent Police Department to collect all available facts and evidence to determine if there is a federal civil rights violation.
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