NEW YORK, NY (TIP): UNITED SIKHS has strongly condemned attacks on the American Consulates in Benghazi, Libya and in Egypt, resulting in the death of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, along with three members of his staff.

Once again, American lives were lost on September 11, 2012 due to senseless violence, widespread hatred and a lack of understanding. The reported cause for these horrific attacks was extremist response to an online video in which Prophet Muhammad was defamed. As per the New York Times, officials suspect that “an organized group had either been waiting for an opportunity to exploit like protests over the video or perhaps even generated the protests as a cover for their attack.”

Harpreet Singh, Legislative Policy Director said, “UNITED SIKHS team expresses its condemnation for such acts of violence and stands with the families in grief”.

President Barack Obama in Washington condemned the attack, in the “strongest possible terms”, saying that the U.S. will work with the Libyan government to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. “Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives,” the President said in his press release.

The attacks in Libya and Egypt, as well as the recent Wisconsin shooting, are examples of very specific, violent acts of hatred that unfortunately result in the loss of innocent lives. UNITED SIKHS calls for solidarity and education in these unfortunate times, and for all Americans to unite and stand together.