On Aug. 10, I was proud to be an eastern Queens resident when I participated in a candlelight vigil, organized by local civic leaders, to honor the memory of the victims of the shooting at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin earlier this month.
At Gurdwara Sant Sagar in Bellerose, local residents joined members of the Sikh community, elected officials and police precinct representatives to mourn the loss of life and speak out forcefully against hate crimes.
It was heartwarming to see so many longtime civic leaders from eastern Queens standing shoulder to shoulder at the gurdwara with their neighbors, many of whom originally come from countries across the globe and now make their homes here.
The country can learn a lot from Queens about how neighbors from diverse backgrounds can live side by side, work together and maintain mutual respect.
Mark Weprin
City Councilman
(D-Oakland Gardens)
