Yesterday we awoke to the sad news that eight people were killed and several others injured at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Our hearts grieve for the victims, their families, friends, and coworkers. At least four of the eight dead were part of the local Sikh community.
While we do not yet know the motivations of the killer in Indianapolis, the American Sikh community has been the target of countless violent incidents and hate crimes, especially since 9/11. We urge local, state, and federal authorities to investigate this matter further to understand whether there were any racial or ethnic motivations.
As attacks against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander, including South Asian, communities, increase across the country, we also urge elected officials across the United States to denounce those who spread Anti-Asian hate and violence. We stand in solidarity with the victims of this senseless tragedy, including the Sikh community of Indianapolis.