Wisconsin terrorist attack: In Oak Creek, Wisconsin, six people were shot and killed today as a result of a terrorist attack at Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, which is south of Milwaukee along Lake Michigan. The total death toll is 7 dead, including the killer Wade Michael, Page. Government officials are treating this as a domestic terrorism incident.” Our prayers go out to those who were killed in this terrorist attack, and we urge all those who promote hatred and violence to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.
The Sikh Coalition’s Executive Director Sapreet Kaur issued a statement: “The Sikh Coalition’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the shooting, the Sikh community of Milwaukee, and the larger community of Wisconsin, which we know will stand with their Sikh neighbors with their support and prayers during this very trying time.”
White Supremacist Terrorist Identified as Wade Michael Page
The terrorist has been identified as Wade Michael Page, a veteran of the U.S. Army who was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas and previously at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was reportedly stationed in psychological operations units throughout his service. Apparently, he recently moved to the Oak Creek, Wisconsin area, living in a rental unit in Cudahy, Wisconsin.
The Washington Post reported that Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said “police were investigating reports that the shooter, who was white, may have harbored extreme racial views.” Reuters has reported research from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), stating: “Wade had been a member of the racist skinhead band End Apathy, based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2010, said Heidi Beirich, director of the intelligence project at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama. Wade also tried to buy goods from the National Alliance, a neo-Nazi group, in 2000, she said.”
Image of End Apathy Group Led by Reported White Supremacist Terrorist Wade Michael Page (Photo: Label 56 Web Site)
According to the SPLC Blog report Wade Michael Page “was a frustrated neo-Nazi who had been the leader of a racist white-power band. In 2010, Page, then the leader of the band End Apathy, gave an interview to the white supremacist website Label 56. He said that when he started the band in 2005, its name reflected his wish to ‘figure out how to end people’s apathetic ways’ and start ‘moving forward.'”
The Label 56 white supremacist musical website maintained an account on the Stormfront “hate group” web site, and Label 56 promoted their interview with Wade Michael Page on the Stormfront web page there (see captured screen shot of this). Wade Michael Page’s “End Apathy” band is repeatedly addressed on the Stormfront “hate group” web site, which appeared at white supremacist parties and gatherings, including a white supremacist gathering in March 2012 in Richmond, Virginia. The “End Apathy” Stormfront Member was based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and joined Stormfront in March 2008. (Screenshot capture).
The End Apathy White Supremacist band was also promoted on Stormfront’s web site, where the band sought to hold “Meet and Greet” efforts with other white supremacists, such as the one North Carolina, where Wade Michael Page was previously stationed in the U.S. Army.
News media have also been reporting on the links between the Stormfront group and terrorist Wade Michael Page.
End Apathy Band Promotes Racist Meetings (Screenshot from Stormfront.org)
Stormfront Supporters Praise Terrorist Attack Against Sikhs – Stormfront Group “Chief of Staff” States: “Christ, they’re asking for it.”
Supporters of the white supremacist “hate group” Stormfront spoke out to praise the terrorist attack. One Stormfront supporter wrote “finally a man who got some nerve, how this non violent crap been working for all u guys who are slamming this guy, spread all the propaganda u want, the message isnt getting out, this is how points are made.” The Stormfront “hate group” moderator “Jack Boot” originally removed the post and then reposted it. Another Stormfront supporter shared the despair of other white supremacists that were upset about Sikhs in Wisconsin, stating with a “sad face,” that in addition to Sikhs in New Jersey, they also had “jews and muslims, etc., etc.”. R.E.A.L. has captured a screen shot of the Stormfront supporter’s praise of the terrorist attack.
Stormfront Editor and Chief of Staff Jack Boot, also defended keeping the posting up about praising the terrorist attack on the Sikhs stating “they’re asking for it.” Regarding the Stormfront supporter praising the terrorist killer that attacked the Sikh temple, “Jack Boot” states “I don’t hold his sentiments against him. He’s far, far from the only one, of any race or creed, thinking in these terms. And others have pointed out that, regardless of the details that may emerge, strife is inevitable under a regime enforcing multiculturalism. Christ, they’re asking for it.” R.E.A.L. has captured a screen shot of the Stormfront “chief of staff” comments on this as well.
Stormfront supporters have a repeated history of terrorist attacks and killings of police officers.
Stormfront's History of Supporting Domestic Terrorism: Stormfront Member Daniel Cowart with Swastika Tattoo and Rifle (Photo: Inquister) - One of Past Stormfront Supporters Convicted of Involvement in Terrorism and Killings - Stormfront Terrorist Cowart was Convicted of Terrorist Plot to Kill 88 Black Americans and Barack Obama
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) continues to challenge the views of discrimination and hatred by such Stormfront and other racial extremist, bigoted “hate group” organizations, and we urge them to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins. We urge the federal government and our fellow citizens to challenge organizations that promote hatred and bigotry against people because of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, or other identity group.
Previous Killings of Sikhs in America; Hate Crimes Not Recorded for Sikhs
On March 4, 2011, two Sikh Americans, Surinder Singh, and Gurmej Singh Atwal, were shot to death in Oak Grove, California, while taking their daily walk. Community leaders managed to get reward money on information raised to $30,000 during March 2011. The reward money on information has increased to $57,000.
Sikh activists sought to hold a Day of Remembrance for them in October 2011, distributing fliers to public letting them know there is $57,000 in reward money for persons with information regarding the killings. While there was a new lead on a possible truck in February 2012, the case remains unsolved. In July 2011, the Associated Press published an article stating how Sikhs have been the repeated target of violence, which some state are part of a nationwide pattern of violence against Sikhs.
Other Sikh groups have stated have urged the U.S. federal government authorities to start tracking hate crimes against Sikhs. In April 2012, 90 Congressional representative signed a letter urging the Department of Justice and FBI to track hate crimes against Sikhs.
Sikh Activist Seeking Respect for Human Dignity (Photo: Credit Adalto Nascimento, Elk Grove Patch)
Sikh Group Warned of Nazi White Supremacist Threats Months Ago
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) notes that in April 2012, the Canadian-based World Sikh Organization (WSO) reported concerns about threats by Nazi white supremacists. This was reported by Panthic stating: “The WSO is concerned that if misleading news reports continue, there will be an increase in physical attacks on Sikhs, like the one in Edmonton in March by Calgary-based white-supremacist group Blood and Honour. The neo-Nazi group also has active members in Vancouver.” In the past Sikh groups have been part of panels warning of the growth of “hate groups” in America.
Among our American supporters of R.E.A.L., we deeply regret the hate that some have in our country towards people because of their race, religion, ethnic origin, or other identity group. We remain concerned that such white supremacist extremists remain a threat to public safety and national security.
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We also urge those whose hearts are consumed by such hate to reconsider their direction. Hate is never the answer to your problems or concerns. Hate is a disease that harms everyone.
Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.
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Previous News Updates
CNN had previously reported that the terrorist “was an Army veteran who may have been a white supremacist, according to a law enforcement source involved in the investigation.”
ABC News had previously reported that “According to information broadcast over police radio, a witness to the shooting told law enforcement the shooter was a white male, bald, with a heavy build.”
The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel previously reported that “Officials indicated no more information would be released until a briefing at 10 a.m. Monday. They said the FBI will lead the investigation. While some witnesses reported there may have been a second shooter, authorities said there was no indication of that. A hotline has been established for family members looking for information on those involved. The number is (888) 298-1964.”
NBC news previously reported that “A law enforcement official told NBC News the gunman was dressed in tactical gear and armed with a single handgun.” NBC also reported that “Federal law enforcement officials told NBC News the suspected gunman had no obvious connection to domestic terror or white supremacist groups and apparently was not on any list of suspected terrorists.”
