The man who went on a shooting spree inside the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on Sunday has a sketchy history, which includes disciplinary action while a member of the U.S. Army, as well as a long standing affiliation with various white supremacy groups. But were the killing an act of terror or a religious hate crime?
Wade Michael Page, the 40-year-old supremacist who killed 6 people on Sunday before police shot him dead, is being described today as a “frustrated neo-Nazi.” According to the Alabama based Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors such activity, Page was a member of a variety of supremacy groups, including the “Definite Hate” band. He even started a “racist white-power” band called End Apathy in 2005. The SPLC says they have been tracking Page for over a decade.
Police say that Page wanted to cleanse America of groups and religions that were a threat to the white race and white religion. They believe he mistakenly thought the turbans worn by members of the Sikh faith meant they were Muslim, which they are not. Although the shootings are currently being treated as an act of domestic terrorism by the FBI, that could soon change.
To a Sikh man, the turban he wears is a symbol of freedom, love and justice — values taught by their founding guru for 500 years. To a hate criminal, it has become a target.
“There’s a lot of sorrow, a lot of confusion” in the Sikh community, said Swarnjit Arora, 71, who met with members of the congregation after the killings. “I’ve been here 40 years and had a most wonderful life in Milwaukee. People have been exceptionally kind and sweet, they have great respect.”
Still, security has been increased nationwide at Sikh temples, known as gudwaras, as well as at Muslim mosques across the country, according to leaders in both communities.
“To a criminal, the turban is seen as a symbol of someone who is a fanatic, who is against democracy, against Western values,” Arora said. “To us, the turban is a symbol of justice, worn by a person you can count on, embrace and support, someone who fights for the equality of all men and women.”
"…were the killing an act of terror or a religious hate?"Law enforcement may have to make that distinction but I don't. IMO, it was BOTH, an act of terror AND religious hate. Add to that the issue of racial/ethnic Hatred and you've hit the trifecta because as a former skinhead repeatedly stated last night on CNN_for White Supremacists "RACE is their religion."And yet from Rush Limbaugh to Michelle Bachmann to Mitt Romney and darn near the entire Republican Party, fanning the flames of division, stereotyped beliefs, scape-goating, prejudices AND paranoia is all in a days work for that disgusting lot. I honestly don't see how they live with themselves OR sleep at night!?!