FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2023
Media contact: Rachel Koelzer, rachel@nakasec.org, (213) 703-0992
NATIONWIDE – “Our hearts are broken,” said Becky Belcore, co-director with the National Korean American and Education Consortium (NAKASEC). “Only a day after the Monterey Park massacre, a gunman took the lives of 7 people and forever altered the lives of their families and countless others. Our thoughts are with the families of those killed and those who were injured. As an Asian American network, we are grieving with our community over the recent devastating violence.”
These events point to a growing societal crisis in the United States. Only 24 days into 2023, the U.S. has already experienced 39 mass shootings that took the lives of 69 people; more than one shooting per day. To effectively prevent the gun violence that has become ubiquitous in the U.S., we must acknowledge these continuous acts are the direct result of corporate greed of the gun industry, systemic racism and patriarchy, and our lawmakers being complicit by not taking action.
Our elders, parents, children, friends, students, and loved ones deserve to study, work, travel, worship – and just live – without fear. Access to culturally and linguistically competent healthcare including mental health services, quality food and housing, and community support are critical to creating a safe society. We must de-stigmatize mental health support, and work together for a world that embraces us all. For this to become a reality, people in power must prioritize meeting the shared and unique needs of diverse communities across the country, including Asian Americans and immigrants, over profit and personal interests.
To our mourning community: We are with you. Our work continues, and we hope you are taking time to care for yourselves and your loved ones. You can find mental health services and support at Asian Mental Health Collective, and Asian Mental Health Project is holding a series of virtual community wellness sessions.
Founded in 1994, the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)’s mission is to organize Korean and Asian Americans to achieve social, economic, and racial justice. The NAKASEC Network is HANA Center (Illinois), Hamkae Center (Virginia), Woori Center (Pennsylvania), MinKwon Center for Community Action (New York & New Jersey) and Woori Juntos (Texas).
