WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Lawmakers are moving to honor the victims of the 2021 Indianapolis FedEx mass shooting while renewing calls to combat gun violence and hate crimes targeting the South Asian community.
U.S. Reps. Grace Meng, Pramila Jayapal, André Carson, and Judy Chu have introduced a resolution marking five years since the April 15, 2021, mass shooting at a FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis.
The attack killed eight workers and injured several others. Nearly 90% of the facility’s workforce was of Sikh descent, making the tragedy deeply felt within the Indian American Sikh community. Lawmakers say the resolution aims to honor the victims, condemn gun violence, and address rising hate and discrimination.
The victims included Matthew Alexander, Samaria Blackwell, Amarjeet Johal, Jasvinder Kaur, Amarjit Sekhon, Jaswinder Singh, Karli Smith, and John Weisert. Meng said the shooting remains a painful reminder of ongoing violence against minority communities. She called for stronger gun safety laws and increased funding for hate crime prevention.
Jayapal reflected on her early advocacy after the September 11 attacks. She said discrimination against Sikh, Muslim and South Asian communities surged again during the COVID-19 pandemic. She warned that political rhetoric has fueled similar patterns of hate in recent years.
Carson emphasized the local impact. He said Indianapolis continues to grieve and urged Congress to stand against violence rooted in race, religion or identity. Chu highlighted the broader implications. She said the attack affected not just Sikhs but the wider Asian American and Pacific Islander community. She called for stronger federal protections against discrimination.
The resolution condemns the shooting and honors the victims. It also urges federal action to prevent future violence. Lawmakers are calling for expanded hate crime prevention programs through the Justice Department. They also want stronger protections for immigrant communities and civil rights safeguards. The resolution references the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, which supports better hate crime tracking and community resources. Advocates say increased funding is critical to address underreported incidents.
Community leaders say the tragedy still raises unanswered questions. Law enforcement did not classify the shooting as a hate crime, a decision that some Sikh advocates continue to challenge.
Advocates say Sikhs in the U.S. often face discrimination due to visible religious articles such as turbans. Some also face economic stereotypes, particularly in industries like trucking.
Groups such as Stop AAPI Hate warn that fear remains widespread among Asian American communities. Leaders say many South Asians feel unsafe and are withdrawing from public life. Manjusha Kulkarni, a co-founder of the group, said the anniversary serves as both a memorial and a call to action. She urged leaders to confront racism and protect vulnerable communities. Sim J. Singh Attariwala of Asian Americans Advancing Justice said harmful rhetoric can lead to real-world violence. He called for accountability and stronger protections.
The resolution has drawn support from several lawmakers and advocacy groups. Supporters say it reflects a broader commitment to civil rights and public safety. Lawmakers argue that honoring the victims requires more than remembrance. They say it demands concrete steps to prevent future violence and address systemic discrimination.
