Chinese Americans in North Texas say they’re determined to hold Lunar New Year celebrations in coming weeks to show their strength and resilience in the face of a mass shooting in California over the weekend that has left many in the community in shock.
Eleven people were killed Saturday in a shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, Calif., a major enclave for the Chinese American community. Authorities have said that Huu Can Tran, the 72-year-old man accused of being the gunman, fatally shot himself on Sunday.
Events featuring traditional cuisine, dances and other performances have been scheduled in Richardson and Plano, which have large Chinese American communities. Lunar New Year celebrations have been scheduled through early February.
Ying Jia, 35, of Keller said she is planning to attend an event on Saturday in Richardson, which is home to more than 3,900 people who identify as Chinese, according to 2021 U.S. Census Bureau data. She said she thinks it is important for the Chinese American community to show unity in light of the mass shooting in Monterey Park.
“If we step back because of the violence, it’s another tragedy,” Jia said.
Jian Xie, president of Asian Culture And Education Society USA, said she was devastated when she learned of the Monterey Park shooting.
Xie, whose group plans to hold a Lunar New Year event Feb. 5 in Plano,, said she thinks it is important to hold the celebration to show the resolve of the Chinese American community. More than 13,600 people in Plano identified themselves as Chinese, according to 2021 U.S. census data.
“I asked people in the Chinese community what they’re thinking, and we wanted to continue to celebrate Lunar New Year to show that Chinese Americans are here,” Xie said.
Although the group has had to adjust some of its plans, such as limiting the number of attendees that will be allowed at the event and adding more security, Xie said she doesn’t want Chinese Americans in North Texas to be…
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