Tag: Cal-APABA

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Joint Statement on the Shooting
in Half Moon Bay

The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA Bay Area), the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley (APABA Silicon Valley), the Asian American Prosecutors Association (AAPA), the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC), the Korean American Bar Association of Northern California (KABANC), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California (VABANC) stand united to grieve the victims and support the families and communities devastated by another tragic act of mass violence visited upon the AAPI community—this time in Half Moon Bay. While law enforcement continues its investigation and details continue to emerge, we understand that the victims were all farmworkers of Asian and Hispanic origin, and our thoughts remain with the families of those lost and recovering.

“As we mourned and stood together with our sister Asian Pacific American bar organizations in southern California in the wake of their loss over the Lunar New Year, we are shocked and saddened by how suddenly mass violence has now struck our community here in the Bay Area,” said Lin Y. Chan, President of AABA Bay Area. “We must stand up and support the victims, their families, and our communities at this time of sorrow.”

“APABA Silicon Valley extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We share in the sorrow felt by the AAPI and Latino migrant farmworkers who live and work here and who we are proud to call our friends and neighbors,” said Thomas Mathew, President of APABA Silicon Valley. “These tragedies demonstrate that our own AAPI communities continue to have urgent unmet needs, including for mental health resources, which we must embrace and encourage, not stigmatize.”

“The Asian American Prosecutors Association joins our fellow Bay Area AAPI bar associations bound in grief for the victims of this senseless criminal act,” said Annie Saadi, President of AAPA. “We must ensure that justice and support and compassion for the victims and for the communities affected go hand in hand.”

“The New Year is a time to hope and dream. Instead, we mourn the loss of lives.” Asit Panwala, President of Cal-APABA, stated. “Our condolences go to the families and friends of those who were killed in this tragic incident.”

“As we come to grips with yet another horrific loss of life to violence, FBANC offers love, support, and compassion as well as whatever legal and advocacy resources we can harness to serve our beloved Bay Area community recover from this appalling tragedy,” said Raymond R. Rollan, President of FBANC.

“The Korean American Bar Association of Northern California joins in grieving for the victims of heartbreaking and shocking violence,” said Stephan Choo, President of KABANC. “We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, and offer our love, compassion and prayer for our community.”

“NAPABA is overcome with grief and sadness as yet another episode of violence has wrought suffering and heartbreak to so many in the AAPI and Hispanic communities in California,” said Sandy Leung, President of NAPABA. “We offer our deepest sympathies for the victims, and I know that our members and affiliates in the Bay Area, anguished as they are and still reeling from tragedy over the Lunar Year, stand ready to support the communities affected with care and humanity.”

“Another instance of mass violence has inflicted pain on the AAPI community in California,” said Jennifer Liem, President of VABANC, “as we process and grieve through our pain and anguish, we stand ready to assist the families and communities in any way our members can.”

Please visit the Half Moon Bay Fund, supported by a number of our partner organizations, to see how you can assist the families and communities who have lost so much in Half Moon Bay. 100% of proceeds will be donated to directly-impacted individuals.

Please visit Stop AAPI Hate’s toolkit for resources to help those affected by trauma and violence in the aftermath of this incident. Please also see their digital toolkit for organizations and advocates.

If you have any information relating to the ongoing investigation, please contact Detective Deschler with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office at: 1-800-547-2700

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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Joint Statement Regarding the January 21, 2023 Monterey Park Mass Shooting

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA Los Angeles County), California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Cal-APABA), Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance (APAWLA), Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (APABA Colorado), Japanese American Bar Association (JABA), Korean American Bar Association of Southern California (KABA SoCal), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), South Asian Bar Association of Southern California (SABA-SC), Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA), Thai American Bar Association (TABA), and Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California (VABASC), join together to mourn the lives lost, help the people injured, and support a community as it recovers from tragedy. On the eve of Lunar New Year on January 21, 2023, during a time of celebration, a shooter opened fire on members of our community in Monterey Park, resulting in the murder of eleven people and injuring many more.

“APABA Los Angeles County wholeheartedly condemns this horrific act of violence. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathies are with those affected, including our own families and friends who call Monterey Park home, and we are working with our partners to support the community during this traumatic time,” said Erica Yen, president of APABA. “APABA has had a close connection with Monterey Park since our founding 25 years ago. We have held our monthly pro bono volunteer legal assistance clinic at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library for almost a decade – our second home for many years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later this week on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 10-12 pm, we will return with renewed determination to help those in need with the re-opening of our in-person pro bono volunteer legal clinic in the Library Friends Room.”

“We are deeply saddened by the violence and loss of life in Monterey Park,” said Asit Panwala, president of Cal-APABA. “After more than two years of trauma, many Asian American families looked forward to this Lunar New Year as a time to come together in joy and celebration. But today we grieve with the families of the victims. We stand with you in love, solidarity, and strength.”

“KABA SoCal is deeply saddened by the tragic mass shooting in Monterey Park that took place on the eve of Lunar New Year,” said Monica Min, president of KABA SoCal. “We mourn the families of the victims and the communities that have been affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts, support, and love are with you.”

“NAPABA stands shoulder to shoulder with the families and communities impacted by this tragic act on what should have been a night of joyful celebration and hopeful possibility,” said Sandra Leung, president of NAPABA. “For many of our members, Monterey Park is home – a place where they grew up, spent time with friends, or visited family. On behalf of our members across the country, NAPABA reaffirms its commitment to assisting communities affected by violence and lends our support to the victims and their families.”

“SCCLA stands united with its sister bar organizations – and the strong community of Monterey Park – in condemning this senseless act of violence,” said Nina Hong, President of SCCLA. “We grieve with the victims, their loved ones, and this wonderful city that many of us call home. We are resolved to stand together to keep the Chinese and AAPI communities safe.”

Our partners at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Southern California are coordinating a coalition of organizations, including our bar associations, to provide services to the victims and their families. More information about these services can be found here. You can support the official verified fundraiser for the victims and the Monterey Park community, which is endorsed by our organizations, by making a donation on GoFundMe online. One hundred percent (100%) of donations will go toward supporting the victims and their families.

A memorial honoring the victims has been established at Monterey Park City Hall at 320 West Newmark Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. The City of Monterey Park will host a public vigil at City Hall on Tuesday, January 24 beginning at 5:30 pm.

A Survivors Resource Center has been established at Monterey Park’s Langley Senior Center at 400 N. Emerson Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754. There are mental health resources available for anyone who needs support.

If you have information relating to the ongoing investigation, please call the Los Angeles Sheriff Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5550.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), represents the interests of over 60,000 Asian Pacific American (APA) legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local APA bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting APA communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of all backgrounds in the legal profession.

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