Thank you, supporters of ‘Love Over Hate’ vigil

On Sunday, March 21, Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders (HAPI) in Solidarity hosted a vigil, “Love Over Hate,” to honor and remember the victims of the tragic Atlanta shootings. This peaceful, thoughtful, and loving walking vigil was held on the grounds of the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (HUUF) in Bayside. We want to acknowledge several organizations and 30-plus volunteers who helped to make this vigil possible: HUFF Board and volunteers who co-hosted the event; Sun Valley Floral who donated beautiful flowers; Cooperation Humboldt who brought many volunteers to support and help; and Gary Ronne and Humboldt Taiko for the beautiful rhythmic Taiko drumming. Special thanks to Pat Girczyc for coordinating the many volunteers.

In a letter written to the Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta organization (AAJC-Atlanta), we enclosed a cashier’s check (cash donations) and personal checks totaling $2,765.93. These generous donations were collected at the vigil for the families of the victims, to be distributed to them by AAJC-Atlanta. We are very appreciative of our community for their support, compassion and generosity. We are grateful for the many hours our volunteers gave to the vigil and to the hundreds of community members who braved that cold windy afternoon to express grief and caring.

HAPI has posted a video filmed by a member of our group, Chisato Hughes, https://youtu.be/XaNIDRXpf7s.

Words cannot express enough the gratitude of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities here to have so many In our community stand up to hate and mourn for the victims.

In solidarity and compassion,

(HAPI founding mothers and sisters)

Alex Ozaki-McNeill, Arcata

Amy Uyeki, Arcata

Chisato Hughes, McKinleyville

Marylyn Paik-Nicely, McKinleyville

Patty Saito Hecht, Arcata

Terry Uyeki, McKinleyville

Vicki Ozaki, McKinleyville