January 24, 2023
As Asian American families throughout the country kicked off their Lunar New Year’s celebrations over the weekend, eleven people in Monterey Park, CA lost their lives, and nine others were injured after a gunman opened fire at what should have been a joyful celebration.
Less than 48 hours later, another gunman in Half Moon Bay, CA targeted Asian farmworkers during another mass shooting, killing seven people. The Center for Asian Americans in Action grieves with the families of the victims and everyone who has been impacted by these acts of violence.
Every mass shooting represents a failure in government.
Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay now join the growing list of cities and communities that have been devastated by gun violence. We are tired of inaction and demand movement on gun control legislation. Policymakers have failed to address community safety concerns or the systemic inequities that result in violence. The tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay mark the 37th and 38th mass shooting incidents that have taken place in 2023.
Each year, Lunar New Year is celebrated as a time to gather with family members to honor their ancestors and usher in the start of a new year. We encourage community members to spend time with loved ones and find support for healing. If you are needing support:
- AAPI Equity Alliance has compiled a list of local and state support services and resources for individuals impacted by the Monterey Park shooting
- Asian Mental Health Project is hosting a series of free virtual healing circles to hold space for people grieving the Monterey Park tragedy
- The California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies shared these articles on self-care: Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting and The Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting
- The LA Times released this article on how to cope with secondary trauma from mass shooting coverage
If you’d like to show support for the shooting victims and people impacted by the shooting:
- Donate to the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Victims Fund, a GoFundMe that has been set up by local non-profit organizations with 100% of donations going directly to victims and family members of the shooting
- Please reach out to your Asian American friends, neighbors, and community members and let them know you are checking in
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The Center for Asian Americans in Action (Center for A3) conducts policy analysis, engages in policy advocacy, and strengthens the policy capacity of community organizations to build a more equitable society for Asian Americans in Orange County, California and beyond. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization fiscally sponsored by the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA).
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