25 Years Later, Mesa Community Honors Victim of 9/11 Hate-Crime

A Sikh man was killed for looking like ‘the enemy’ after 9/11. Sikhs say the danger hasn’t passed.

(RNS) — Every year since 2001, the family of Balbir Singh Sodhi has held a solemn ritual: a vigil to honor the Sikh immigrant, gas station owner and father of five believed to be the first person killed in a hate crime after 9/11. Sodhi was planting flowers in front of his gas station in Mesa, Arizona, to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks when he was shot five times.  The man convicted of the crime, Frank Roque, had seen Sodhi’s turban …

1st hate-crime victim after 9/11: 25 years later, Balbir Singh Sodhi remembered

25th anniversary memorial honors Balbir Singh Sodhi, first post‑9/11 hate crime victim, as family and faith leaders gather at Mesa, Arizona site.

25 years later, Mesa community honors victim of 9/11 hate-crime

Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot and killed just days after the terrorist attack.

Balbir Singh Sodhi honored 25 years after 9/11 hate crime murder

By Mahrukh Siddiqui Mesa, Arizona community members and others from across the country gathered to remember Balbir Singh Sodhi, on the 25th anniversary of his death. Singh Sodhi was shot […]