MONTEREY PARK, Calif. — Vice President Kamala Harris arrived exterior of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park Wednesday night time, stopping to try every of the victims’ names and photos from Saturday’s lethal mass taking pictures earlier than inserting a bouquet in entrance of the memorial.
Harris informed reporters the nation is mourning the lack of the 11 individuals killed and 9 others injured, whereas additionally advocating for stricter gun management legal guidelines.
“Tragically we preserve saying the identical issues,” Harris mentioned. “Congress should act. Ought to they? Sure. Can they? Sure.”
Melissa Michelson of Alhambra, California, was on the vigil following Harris’ go to holding an indication that learn “What about gun management?”, saying she has been dissatisfied with native officers not taking a robust stance on gun violence.
“My neighborhood is extra upset and offended at what occurred right here,” Michelson mentioned. “Everyone else has simply been speaking about ideas and prayers, and that is good for a brief minute, after which it is time to truly do one thing.”
Michelson mentioned she didn’t hear any of Harris’ phrases Wednesday, however added it was one thing she’d “be keen to get behind.”
“The query is, what precisely is she keen to do and the place this goes,” Michelson added. “It is all the time the identical after a mass taking pictures — slightly little bit of speak, and no motion.”
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Gloria Gonzales, a 71-year-old Monterey Park resident got here along with her 25-year-old granddaughter, Regina Gonzales, to point out assist for a metropolis she has known as dwelling for over 60 years. Regina at the moment lives Diamond Bar, California, however nonetheless feels the shock of the taking pictures within the metropolis she grew up in.
“All through the week, I’ve simply been like, ‘holy crap, like, this truly occurred,’” she mentioned. “It is nearly not actual.”
Regina Gonzales added Harris’ go to illustrates the severity of what the neighborhood goes by means of. Gloria Gonzales mentioned she drastically appreciated and was honored by Harris visiting Monterey Park.
“I feel that’s going to be an enormous morale lifting for the individuals right here in Monterey Park, that they took the time for our neighborhood to come back out and go to and say encouraging phrases,” Gloria Gonzales mentioned.
Vigils have been held every night time because the taking pictures within the close-knit neighborhood that has united individuals from completely different backgrounds to start therapeutic.
“We’re sturdy right here in Monterey Park. We’re sturdy right here and we’ll go ahead,” Gloria Gonzalez mentioned. “I feel it may make the neighborhood and all of the completely different nationalities which are right here mend collectively.”
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New gun laws faces uphill battle
On Tuesday, seven individuals had been killed in two shootings close to the Northern California neighborhood of Half Moon Bay, simply days after the Monterey Park rampage. President Joe Biden mentioned he spoke to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and native leaders and pledged the federal authorities’s assist.
The president pointed to new laws launched by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif, to ban assault weapons, urging them to “ship that to my desk as rapidly as you may.” The invoice faces a tricky climb within the Senate and isn’t anticipated to cross within the Republican-led Home.
The gunman, recognized as Huu Can Tran, 72, used a modified semi-automatic weapon within the Monterey Park shootings. Authorities proceed to seek for a motive behind the taking pictures.
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Contributing: Joey Garrison and Tami Abdollah, USA TODAY
Comply with Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
