BOSTON– Over 300 members of the Massachusetts Indian American community will be joined in solidarity by members of communities across Massachusetts for a Vigil in Memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla today, Friday March 10th, 2017 at the Boston Common in Boston.
Khuchibhotla was murdered on February 22, 2017 by an assailant who, according to witnesses, shouted anti-immigrant slurs, yelled “Get out of my country”, and later admitted to shooting two men who he thought were Iranian.
WHO: 300 people from the Massachusetts Indian American community as well as community members from across Massachusetts are expected to turnout.
WHAT: A Vigil in Memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla – an Indian immigrant, husband, brother and son who was shot in Kansas on February 22, 3017.
WHERE: Boston Common
Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
139 Tremont Street
Boston, MA, 02111
WHEN: Friday, March 10th, 2017
TIME: Approximately 5:30p.m.
The purpose of the Vigil is to peacefully gather Boston based Indian Americans to honor the life and memory of Kuchibhotla, who was tragically killed on February 22, 2017 by assailant Adam Purinton who, later admitted to shooting two men who he thought were Iranian. Three more attacks on Indians and Indian Americans have been recorded within the two weeks since Srinivas was murdered.
“This is a tragedy that transcends religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or race and one that demands we unite, and stand together in the face of hate. Profiling and hate crimes are wrong, period. We plead with all community members, organizations and leaders to join us in honoring the life of this wonderful man. It is people like Mr. Kuchibhotla and the man who tried to save his life who embody the spirit and values of our state and our country,” said Event Organizer Sonali Lappin.
Many groups have come out to declare this a hate crime fueled by the racism and xenophobia that continues to grip our beloved country. This vigil also seeks to denounce hate, violence, and hate fueled violence towards people based on the color of their skin, minority status or their cultural, social or political differences.
Because of the weather today (Friday March 10), I am unable to attend.
Could we also have another memorial? Could we do an event for homeless white men, for example?
I cannot begin to imagine the grief of this family.
As Mrs. Obama said, when they go low, we go high.