MONTEREY PARK, Calif. — Vice President Kamala Harris arrived outdoors of the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park Wednesday night time, stopping to check out every of the victims’ names and photos from Saturday’s lethal mass taking pictures earlier than putting a bouquet in entrance of the memorial.
Harris instructed reporters the nation is mourning the lack of the 11 folks killed and 9 others injured, whereas additionally advocating for stricter gun management legal guidelines.
“Tragically we maintain saying the identical issues,” Harris stated. “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 disenchanted with native officers not taking a robust stance on gun violence.
“My group is extra upset and offended at what occurred right here,” Michelson stated. “All people else has simply been speaking about ideas and prayers, and that is good for a brief minute, after which it is time to really do one thing.”
Michelson stated 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 at all times the identical after a mass taking pictures — a bit of 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 residence for over 60 years. Regina presently 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 really occurred,’” she stated. “It is virtually not actual.”
Regina Gonzales added Harris’ go to illustrates the severity of what the group goes via. Gloria Gonzales stated she drastically appreciated and was honored by Harris visiting Monterey Park.
“I feel that’s going to be an enormous morale lifting for the folks right here in Monterey Park, that they took the time for our group to return out and go to and say encouraging phrases,” Gloria Gonzales stated.
Vigils have been held every night time because the taking pictures within the close-knit group that has united folks from totally different backgrounds to start therapeutic.
“We’re sturdy right here in Monterey Park. We’re sturdy right here and we will go ahead,” Gloria Gonzalez stated. “I feel it will make the group and all of the totally different nationalities which are right here mend collectively.”
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New gun laws faces uphill battle
On Tuesday, seven folks have been killed in two shootings close to the Northern California group of Half Moon Bay, simply days after the Monterey Park rampage. President Joe Biden stated 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 shortly as you possibly can.” The invoice faces a tricky climb within the Senate and isn’t anticipated to move 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
Observe Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5.
