Sikh community supported after temple damaged

Photo by Mary Kofford

DAMAGE DONE - The back side of the Sikh Temple located off Deschutes Road east of Anderson was allegedly vandalized on the evening of March 12 by a man driving a tractor.

Photo by Mary Kofford

WORDS OF THANKS - Representing the Sikh leadership, Mr. Kavaljit addressed audience members at a press conference last week, thanking them for the “sincerity in (their) comments.” Other members of the Sikh leadership stand to his left and right.

Three days after the Sikh Temple off Deschutes Road was allegedly damaged by a man driving a tractor, members of the community and faiths gathered at a press conference to express their support for the Sikh Community. The conference, held March 15 was jointly hosted by the City of Anderson, County Supervisor Les Baugh, the Sikh Community and the Interfaith Witness for Justice and Peace.

Speakers representing approximately 10 different faiths voiced their support for the Sikh Community and their position against crimes of religious intolerance.

Keith Webster, Anderson’s mayor, opened the conference saying “we embrace all religions. There is no room for any of this type of behavior anywhere.”

Other officials followed with their statements.

Supervisor Les Baugh stated, “That’s what today is about – to extend our hand of love and tell you we care.”

Sheriff Tom Bosenko said, “It’s vitally important that we come together to encourage diversity and freedom in our community.”

Anderson Police Captain Robert Kirvin stated, “We’ll not tolerate such a senseless act of ignorance.”

County Administrator Larry Lees confirmed that despite the damage and repairs needed the temple is still on track for the original opening date of April 13.

At the end of the conference, several members of the Sikh leadership spoke to the audience, thanking them for their support.

“When I was listening to all you speakers, I could sense the sincerity in your comments. It’s not the problems that come to us; it’s how we handle them and move on as a community,” stated Mr. Kavaljit.

The April 13 opening date for the temple is significant because it marks the beginning of the Sikh religion. Also planned for that date is the dedication of a “Garden of Hope and Peace.”

The temple was damaged on the evening of March 12, when Michael Rafferty allegedly stole a tractor from a business, drove it about a half mile to the temple and repeatedly rammed the building.

A caretaker of the temple heard the tractor at about 9:45 p.m. that evening but wasn’t concerned since the building is under construction.

Rafferty later went to the lobby of the Amerihost Inn in Anderson and reported a crime. The inn contacted law enforcement, to whom Rafferty made inconsistent, incriminating statements. Rafferty is currently in custody at Shasta County Jail with bail having increased from $50,000 to $1.3 million.