Hawke's Bay community to hold candlelight vigil for slain Auckland dairy worker
A candlelit vigil, to pay respects to an Auckland dairy worker who was killed while working a shift last week, will be held this evening in Hastings.
Janak Patel, 34, was killed on Wednesday night after the Sandringham dairy he was working in, the Rose Cottage Superette, was robbed.
Organiser and former Multicultural Association Hawke's Bay president Sukhdeep Singh says he wants to stand together in solidarity and show support to the Patel family.
"It is a very sad time for everyone in New Zealand, especially for the Patel family. We want safety, we want peace, we want justice, we want protection," Singh says.
"This is a great loss and tragedy. This is my community and people and I feel I have a responsibility to raise their voices and these voices need to be heard.
"We don’t want to sit and wait for any tangible results. We need the government to take steps now to ensure that our people are safe and secure. This has to stop."
Organiser and former Multicultural Association Hawke's Bay president Sukhdeep Singh. Photo/Supplied.
While he didn't know him personally, Singh says it is important people feel safe and not live in fear for themselves or their families.
The vigil will be held at the Hastings Clock Tower at 8.15pm this evening. Singh says some community leaders and dairy shop owners will be speaking. He has also invited several councillors.
"I would like to request everyone in Hawke's bay to attend and show support. It is so important to stand together in solidarity."
