This past weekend, heartfelt vigils were held nationwide to honor the eight victims of the tragic Atlanta-area spa shootings. From New York City to Phoenix, thousands came together in solidarity, mourning the loss of Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Suncha Kim, 69; Yong Ae Yue, 63; Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Paul Andre Michels, 54; Xiaojie Tan, 49; and Daoyou Feng, 44.
Atlanta
Just days after the horrific attack, mourners congregated near one of the targeted spas in Atlanta. At Young’s Asian Massage, where four individuals lost their lives and another was injured, community members laid flowers and paid their respects. One attendee, Maria Lopez, expressed the collective sentiment, stating, “We are overwhelmed and the path forward may be uncertain, but we must put an end to anti-Asian racism.”
New York City
In Union Square, New York City, hundreds gathered to remember the victims, holding signs that bore their names and messages such as “Asian is not a virus. Racism is” and “stop Asian hate.” Candles were lit, and flowers were placed in their memory. Jo-Ann Kim, the Executive Director of the Asian American Coalition, emphasized the importance of unity, saying, “We’re here because we all know that our community deserves better. We are fueled by sadness, anger, and exhaustion over the ongoing struggle against hate.”
Houston
In Houston, the AAPI organization OCA-Greater Houston hosted a vigil on Saturday evening, where participants not only honored the victims but also spoke out against the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting the AAPI community.
Washington, D.C.
Around 200 individuals gathered at the Chinatown Arch in D.C. to express their outrage. Vigil attendee Janet Park shared her frustrations, stating, “I am furious. People I know face slurs and threats daily.” She continued to highlight the fear felt by many in the community, saying, “I feel unsafe walking alone, and women like me are being targeted and harmed.”
Phoenix
In Phoenix, approximately 250 people attended a candlelight vigil at the Arizona Capitol. As each victim’s name was announced, bells rang in their memory. The accused, 21-year-old Kyle Thompson, faces multiple counts of murder, with discussions ongoing about whether the attack was racially motivated. New York state Sen. Linda Wu commented, “He entered an Asian business with the intent to harm, and there’s a debate on whether this is a hate crime? That’s outrageous.”
The shootings come amid a significant increase in anti-Asian hate incidents, with reports indicating that nearly 3,800 incidents were documented across the country in the last year alone, a rise of nearly 150 percent from 2019. Atlanta business owner Mei Chen remarked during a virtual vigil, “Today it’s massage parlors, tomorrow it could be anywhere else.”
Numerous vigils are planned in the coming week, with events expected in cities such as San Francisco and Cincinnati. For a comprehensive list, check out this resource.
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Summary
Vigils took place across the United States to honor the victims of the Atlanta spa shootings, highlighting the urgent need to address anti-Asian hate. With gatherings in cities like Atlanta, New York, Houston, D.C., and Phoenix, community members expressed their grief and solidarity against the rising tide of hate crimes.