Celebrations in the Greater Boston area commemorated the start of the Lunar New Year, but Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Massachusetts are in shock about a deadly shooting at a Lunar New Year celebration in California.While the Korean Cultural Society hosted performers and crafts for kids in Newton, authorities in Los Angeles County were providing updates about a shooting in Monterey Park that left 10 people dead and at least another 10 people injured Saturday night.Leaders in the local AAPI community told NewsCenter 5 that a candlelight vigil will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at the China Trade Gate, the iconic Paifang archway at the Beach Street entrance to Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood.”Let’s use this tragic incident as an opportunity for us to come together, to pray and heal this country. We need to be strong as a country and as a people,” said Wilson Lee, president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston Lodge.Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston City Council President Ed Flynn released a joint statement about the Monterey Park shooting, noting that the Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration of the year for many AAPI communities, symbolizing the strength of family and community to overcome many challenges.”We are devastated by yet another mass shooting in our country, this time at what should have been a joyous celebration. Our hearts go out to all the victims, their loved ones and members of the AAPI community in Monterey Park and beyond, who are reeling from this senseless act of violence,” Wu and Flynn said in their statement. “As Boston celebrates the Lunar New Year this week — with many events back in person for the first time in three years — we do so in solidarity with Monterey Park’s families and communities.”Wu and Flynn also called upon national leaders to take action that will protect all communities.
Celebrations in the Greater Boston area commemorated the start of the Lunar New…
Read the full article here
