NHMC Stands with Asian Allies and Mourns the Victims of the Monterey Park Shooting

[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]

National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a 40+ year old 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.

We advance Latino visibility and influence from the halls of Washington, D.C., to the studios of Hollywood. Through our media advocacy and workforce development initiatives, NHMC creates spaces where diverse creators can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Our Series Scriptwriters Program, Latinx Stream Showcase, Creators Networking Program, Careers in Entertainment Youth Program, and Media Advocacy Fellowships serve as both incubators and pipelines, preparing the next generation of storytellers, advocates, and industry leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking opportunities, and direct access to entertainment executives, these programs help transform emerging talent into lasting industry voices while expanding authentic representation across media.

We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate in the space of Artificial Intelligence when it intersects with civil & human rights, including making sure Latino-Interest and children’s protections are included in AI initiatives and implementations. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.

NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

© 2026 National Hispanic Media Coalition // communications@nhmc.org // o. (626) 792-6462
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