It’s almost Halloween so let’s talk about something scary—murder. A local murder case happened recently in Fremont. On Sept. 18, Varun Suresh was arrested for the fatal stabbing of another man inside a home on Upper Vinters Circle.
After an investigation, police found out the man Suresh allegedly killed was a person he did not know. According to police, Suresh allegedly targeted the man because the man was a registered sex offender. Tri-City Voice wrote an online update to the fatal stabbing on Sept 23. Suresh faces burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and murder charges.
People killing other people to make a statement is nothing new. Just look at Luigi Mangione’s case. His motivation for allegedly killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as many believe, was for the justice of every person who feels they have been wronged by the U.S. healthcare system.
As someone who’s called Fremont home for 15 years I notice two great things about this area—it’s safe and has great restaurants. Also, pretty hiking trails—okay that’s three. A recent survey says nearly 70% of Fremont residents interviewed say Fremont is an “excellent” and “good” place to live.
But for some reason, a murder case in Fremont becomes parallel to national headlines of a man allegedly killing the CEO of a healthcare system. Or even the person who attempted to assassinate, at the time, a presidential candidate. No matter how strongly we disagree, murder and the resulting life in prison are far too high a cost.
There are so many ways to have civil conversations without losing your temper. We all get angry.
Putting that anger into social justice work is a great alternative, especially in such safe, peaceful and nonjudgmental spaces.
Thankfully, we have a few great nonprofit organizations to join, like Fremont-based organizations Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE) and Narika. Both are dedicated to helping people who are seeking safety from their violent partners. There is also Joshua’s Gift, another Fremont organization that works with the police to identify and safely engage with adults with disabilities.
If political activism is your thing, you can join Hayward Community Coalition, East Bay Democratic Socialists of America or Malaya Union City. If you want to make an even bigger change, join your city’s boards, commissions and committees.
Any place where you’re building community is fair game, because the less isolated we are the more we can be there for each other when we do have disagreements. Feeling anger and letting it pass is okay. Using that energy and passion to make changes in the community is even better.
