IndiaNewEngland.com – BOSTON, MA—Approximately 350 members of the Massachusetts Indian American community attended a vigil in memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla on Friday, March 10th, in the Boston Common. The vigil was the first of its kind in Massachusetts to honor Kuchibhotla and address the recent wave of hate crimes across the country. (Photos: Eric Haynes)
“It is incredible how many people volunteered and participated in this vigil. Among our donations were lights, flowers, money, and notes for the victim and his family,” said Sonali Lappin, organizer of the event and President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education-Massachusetts (IAFPE-MA). “This is a tragedy that transcends religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or race and one that demands we unite, and stand together in the face of hate.”
The vigil sought to peacefully gather Massachusetts-based Indian Americans to honor the life and memory of Kuchibhotla, who was tragically killed on February 22, 2017 by assailant Adam Purinton who, according to witnesses, shouted anti-immigrant slurs, yelled “Get out of my country”, and later admitted to shooting two men who he thought were Iranian. Three more attacks on Indians and Indian Americans have been recorded within the two weeks since Srinivas was murdered.