Wisconsin Sikh temple reopens as mourners ready for memorial

OAK CREEK (REUTERS) - The Wisconsin Sikh temple where six worshippers were gunned down by a white supremacist reopened its doors on Thursday, as mourners from around the country converged on Oak Creek ahead of a public wake and private funerals.

Thousands are expected to attend Friday's wake at Oak Creek High School, where the bodies of the six victims will lie in repose, according to local Sikh leaders. Among those expected to attend were Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Attorney General Eric Holder.

"Grief shared is grief halved," said Mr Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, a spokesperson for the Sikh community in Milwaukee, referring to the dozens of vigils for the victims held throughout the nation this week.

"It restores our faith in humanity. We are overwhelmed by the response," he added.