Vigils Across the Nation Pay Tribute to Victims of Atlanta Shootings

In a heartfelt response to the tragic Atlanta spa shootings, communities nationwide came together this past weekend to honor the eight victims. From New York City to Phoenix, thousands gathered to reflect and remember those lost in this senseless act of violence.

The victims included: Soon Choi Park, 74; Hannah Lee, 51; Susan Kim, 69; Yuna Cho, 63; Delilah Wang, 33; Peter Johnson, 54; Mei Tan, 49; and Dao Feng, 44.

Atlanta

Just days after the horrific event, mourners gathered near one of the Atlanta spas that was targeted. Community members placed flowers outside Youngs Asian Massage, where four victims lost their lives and a fifth was injured. Another vigil took place nearby, as reported by NBC News. “We’re under a lot of stress, and the path forward may be unclear, but one thing is certain,” said vigil participant Maria Chen, “we must put an end to anti-Asian racism.”

New York City

Union Square in New York City hosted a significant vigil, where hundreds held signs bearing the names of the victims. Messages such as “Asian is not a virus. Racism is” and “stop Asian hate” were displayed prominently. Candles were lit and flowers laid in remembrance. Jo-Ann Kim, Executive Director of the Asian American Alliance, organized the gathering. “We stand here because we know our community deserves better. Our mothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters deserve more than this. We are here together because we are sad, angry, and exhausted by the emotional turmoil,” Kim expressed.

Houston

In Houston, the AAPI organization OCA-Greater Houston hosted a vigil on Saturday evening, where participants not only honored the victims but also condemned the rising tide of hate crimes against the AAPI community.

Washington, D.C.

Around 200 individuals gathered at the Chinatown Arch in Washington, D.C., according to NBC Washington. “I’m filled with anger. I’m furious,” said vigil attendee Ellen Park. “Many people I know face slurs and live in fear every day.” She continued, “Since this pandemic began, I’ve been afraid to walk alone. Women who look like me are under constant threat.”

Phoenix

In Phoenix, approximately 250 people attended a candlelight vigil at the Arizona Capitol, where bells tolled for each victim as their names were read aloud. The alleged shooter, 21-year-old Alex Long, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and aggravated assault, though authorities have yet to confirm if the attack was racially motivated. “He entered an Asian business with the intent to kill,” remarked New York state Senator John Liu, a Taiwanese American who participated in the New York City vigil. “And there’s a question of whether this is a hate crime? That’s outrageous.”

This tragic incident comes amid a startling increase in anti-Asian hate incidents over the past year. The nonprofit coalition Stop AAPI Hate reported 3,795 incidents from March 2020 to February of this year, marking a nearly 150% increase compared to 2019. “Today it struck at massage parlors,” stated Atlanta-area restaurant owner Lily Zhang during a virtual vigil hosted by the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. “Tomorrow, it could be restaurants, salons, or anywhere else.”

More vigils are planned in cities across the country, including San Francisco and Cincinnati. For a complete list of upcoming events, visit the Asian American Leaders Table’s website, and check out this blog post for additional insights into the situation.

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Summary

Vigils held across the U.S. honored the eight victims of the Atlanta shootings, highlighting the urgent need to combat anti-Asian racism. Events took place in major cities, with participants expressing their grief and anger over the violence. The gatherings serve as a reminder of the rising tide of hate crimes against the AAPI community while encouraging solidarity and action.

Keyphrase

Atlanta shootings vigils