One year.
This coming Sunday, Jan. 21, will be one year since 11 people lost their lives on the eve of a Lunar New Year, doing what they loved: Dancing. Smiling. Being together on a beloved ballroom dance floor.
A year later, the public is invited to a vigil from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday outside Monterey Park City Hall, where the city’s darkest day and the life it lost that day will be remembered.
It will be the culmination of a week of remembrance of Jan. 21, when a gunman walked into Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Garvey Avenue and opened fire with a semi-automatic Cobray pistol.
Since then, Monterey Park has been on a recovery journey, from the survivors to the families of the victims to the first responders to city leaders seeking resources often geared toward some measure of mental health for a community still shaken.
There has been gun violence legislation. There have been calls for assault bans. Visits from VIPs – including the president of the United States.
But on Sunday, it will be about simply reflection. Remembering, amid candlelight at 320 W. Newmark Ave.
Organizers with the city said the vigil will “provide a space for reflection and healing as we honor the memory of the victims of the January 21 shooting and stand together against violence.”
The tentative program for the evening includes a prelude to the actual vigil.
- 5-5:30 p.m., Buddhist Chanting with Tzu Chi;
- 5-5:30 p.m., Christian Prayer with Jesse Chang and Abner Ramos;
- 5:30-5:45 p.m., Mark Keppel High School String Quintet;
- 5:45 p.m., Tongva Blessing with Chief Anthony Morales and Andrew Morales; and
- Vigil at 6 p.m.
There will be remarks from elected officials, survivors, family members and residents.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Candlelight Vigil
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, with a prelude beginning at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Monterey Park City Hall, 320 W. Newmark Ave.
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