More than hundred people in Kansas City joined a peace march and prayer vigil, to celebrate the life of ‘Srinivas Kuchibholta’, who was shot dead in a senseless triple shooting incident at a bar in apparent hate crime.
People held pictures, banners reading "We want peace"; "We love peace"; "Let us not leave our children"; "Unity is part of the community, together we stand, divided we fall".
Marchers also carried candles and sings "We don't support the politics of hate."
Friends of the deceased attended the march of peace. Alok Madasani, another Indian who was wounded in the shooting was on his crutches.
The sisters of a third man, identified as Ian Grillot, injured in the incident, Lt Governor Jeff Colyer, US Congressman Kevin Yoder, Olathe Mayor Mike Copeland, Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke, and other state officials also joined the march and the prayer meeting.
Priests from various religions conducted prayers at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, Kansas City.
Alok while addressing the gathering said about his 9 years of friendship with Srinivas. “He was the kindest person anyone would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. Srinivas never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He always made sure that if everyone was doing fine.
Other friends had similar words for Srinivas. Every one of his friends described him as a positive, warm, kind, caring, brilliant, well mannered and an absolutely outstanding human being.
At a press conference, Sriniva’s wife Sunayana Dumala asked the U.S. government, what it would do to stop the hate crimes against minority communities. She said that reports of bias against minorities make them afraid and wonder whether “do we belong here”.
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AMandeep
