Twenty-three years ago, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a kind-hearted Sikh father, was murdered in front of his gas station in Mesa, Arizona, becoming the first victim of a wave of hate violence following 9/11. Balbir Uncle, as he was known, embodied generosity and love. He would give candy to children as if they were his own and allowed those short on funds to fill their tanks, always with a smile, saying, “God wants us to serve all.” He and his brothers had fled persecution in India, only for Balbir to be targeted for his turban — a symbol of his faith and love for humanity — as he planted flowers outside his station.
This tragic site has become a “second Ground Zero,” not only for those who loved him but for all who have witnessed or been touched by the violence that followed 9/11. We gathered at this gas station on the #RevolutionaryLove Bus Tour to reclaim it as a site of memory, healing, and love. Led by Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, who has joined us every year on this date, we shared ancestral wisdom, prayers, and stories of resilience.
Balbir’s brother, Rana Sodhi, moved us with his story of choosing forgiveness in response to his brother’s murder. Kerri Kelly, who lost her step-father on 9/11, joined us, finding kinship with Rana and reminding us of the power of shared grief. John Herald, who lost his brother in the towers, shared his journey from pain to compassion, choosing to see Rana as a brother in love. Aasees Kaur from the Sikh Coalition reflected on healing, urging us to store love in our bodies as an antidote to trauma.
This sacred night was accompanied by song and the presence of Balbir Uncle’s widow, Joginder Kaur, whose courage and love blessed us all. As we crossed the country on this tour, each gathering deepens our commitment to honor those lost and to choose love over hate. We remember Balbir Uncle not only for his tragic death but for his vision: a world where every soul is seen as family.
This night was made possible by the Sodhi family, Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, and the teams at Soze, Amplifier Art, and the Revolutionary Love Project.
