Oakland community gathers to honor victims of recent California mass shootings

On Wednesday evening, a protest was held in Oakland dedicated to the memory of the victims of the recent mass shootings in California.

Two Bay Area vigils were held Wednesday night at Wilma Chan Park in Oakland and at Santa Clara University.

This came after three horrific acts of gun violence in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay and Oakland.

“I was born in Monterey Park. I was born in a hospital three blocks from the shooting,” Oakland resident Timmy Lu said.

Lou said he wanted to be with his community.

“Events like this sometimes make me afraid, and I don’t want to be afraid,” he said.

The fear is exacerbated by the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in some Asian cultures.

“I think it shocked us all, it was a tough couple of years of dealing with AAPI hatred, and then these two shocking events in the days of the year when we think most about our families and unity,” said former Auckland mayor Jean Quan. .

Dr. Jennifer Tran of the Auckland Vietnam Chamber of Commerce helped organize the city vigil.

She said that some of them weren’t at the vigil because they considered this week to be the time to talk only about good things.

“But the collection is absolutely essential to our healing,” Tran said.

Although most of the victims of these shootings were from Asia, Tran added that the action is not limited to the AAPI community.

“The same fear and devastation is shared by non-AAPI communities, and you know, given the recent loss of understanding by Mario Navarro 35 that gun violence affects not only our communities, but other communities as well,” she said.

It was attended by more than 30 organizations, thanks to which the event in Auckland became possible and took place very quickly.