[vc_row][vc_column][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height="15"][vc_column_text]January 23, 2023
A Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
We are deeply saddened by the tragedies that occurred in Monterey Park, CA over the weekend. NHMC mourns the eleven victims who tragically lost their lives and for those injured in the horrific shooting on the eve of Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is traditionally a time of celebration in respective Asian communities, uniting families across the world to celebrate their beautiful cultures and the commencement of new beginnings. Monterey Park hosts one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in Southern California, and it is unacceptable that a joyous moment was tainted by a senseless act of gun violence.
Monterey Park is the deadliest shooting since the Uvalde shooting in May of 2022, but it is not the first in 2023. The Gun Violence Archive has recorded 33 mass shootings in the United States this year. We stand in solidarity with the Asian community to demand action from the 118th Congress to prevent these tragedies from occurring. We also lend our support to Congresswoman Judy Chu, Representative of California’s 28th congressional district, in her call for her fellow House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force members to “[p]rotect America. Protect your fellow neighbors.”, in this period of grieving.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition is dedicated to uplifting the voices of all marginalized groups, and we stand in solidarity with our Asian allies in demanding justice.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Monterey Park on Tuesday January 24th beginning at 5:30pm. A victims fund has also been created on GoFundMe.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
