Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago Condemn Mass Shooting Plot Targeting Hindu Temple in Illinois
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Sofia Costas scostas@advancingjustice-aajc.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, a teen from Palatine, Illinois was arrested for an alleged mass shooting plot targeting the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. Advancing Justice| AAJC and Advancing Justice | Chicago share the relief this threat was taken seriously and the attack stopped, and we are standing with those affected.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago issued the following statement in response:
“No one should have to fear for their safety because of the way they look or worship. We are deeply disturbed by reports of a planned mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois.
“Hate does not happen in a vacuum. Unfortunately, such violence has a long history in the U.S. rooted in white supremacy and xenophobia and has been exacerbated by racist rhetoric coming from many offices of power. Our most recent analysis of the FBI hate crime found that 2025 was one of the worst years for anti-Asian hate crimes. Anti-Hindu hate crimes increased by 12% from 2024 to 2025, making 2025 the highest year on record for anti-Hindu hate crimes. The normalization of hateful rhetoric puts everyone in danger, including Asian American, South Asian, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Black, and other minority communities.
“We will continue to demand leaders at all levels reject bigotry and hate-fueled language, speak out against hate, and take action to protect all communities targeted by such violence.”
For more information on the rise of hate targeting Asian American, South Asian, and religious minority communities, read this August 2026 analysis of FBI hate crime data. We also encourage communities to report hate at StandAgainstHatred.org and to find resources to respond to hate at the Asian Resource Hub.