UK: Far right links to Sikh Temple gunman

The Guardian

Wade Michael Page named as temple gunman as FBI examines far-right links

FBI takes charge of 'possible domestic terrorism case' as Sikhs grapple with aftermath of tragedy

By Chris McGreal in Oak Creek, Matt Williams and Chitrangada Choudhury in New York 

Speaking at a bill-signing ceremony in Washington, Obama said: "All of us recognise that these kinds of terrible, tragic events are happening with too much regularity." He said elected officials and community leaders must come together to discuss what should be done.

The president said federal authorities had not yet determined what motivated the gunman but that if it turned out to be the "ethnicity of those who were attending the temple, I think the American people immediately recoil against those kinds of attitudes".

The Sikh Coalition, a group set up after 9/11 as a response to hate crimes and bias against Sikhs, said it had partnered with other Milwaukee organizations to set up an assistance fund. Contributions made to it would be used to to extend financial assistance towards victims of the shooting, including the injured police office. Satjeet Kaur, a coalition representative, told the Guardian: "The fund has collected over $30,000 already. People from across different communities have reached out in support, saying they want to help."

The coalition's executive director, Sapreet Kaur, also issued a statement on the shootings. "While we continue to be cautious about rushing to judgment, it is important to note that this is only one of a growing number of incidents of violence that Sikhs have experienced in recent years. Freedom of religion is a fundamental tenet of democracy and it's incredibly sad that victims were shot down while exercising that right in the peace of their gurdwara [place of worship]."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/06/wisconsin-suspect-wade-michael-page