Johnson, Baldwin inspired by Wisconsin Sikh community

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin’s U.S. senators say they’re inspired by how the Milwaukee-area Sikh community responded to last year’s shooting rampage that left six worshippers dead.

Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin were among the speakers Friday at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee. The remembrance was the first in a series of events marking Monday’s anniversary of the shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. The gunman eventually killed himself.

Johnson says what made the shooting even more tragic was that it happened in a house of worship. He asked community members to remember the lessons of peace and equality the victims taught in their short lives.

Baldwin says the Sikhs reacted with compassion and grace rather than calls for revenge. She says the nation is inspired by their values.