ATLANTA – State Representatives Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek), Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville), Marvin Lim (D-Norcross), Saira Draper (D-Atlanta), Farooq Mughal (D-Dacula), Ruwa Roman (D-Duluth), Long Tran (D-Dunwoody) and State Senators Sheikh Rahman (D-Lawrenceville) and Nabilah Islam (D-Lawrenceville) today issued the following statement regarding the recent shooting at a Lunar New Year Festival in Monterey Park, California:
“As members of Georgia’s Legislative Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus, we are shocked and heartbroken to hear the tragic news of yet another mass shooting this time in Monterey Park, California, which is a predominantly AAPI city, on the eve of the Lunar New Year.
“What should have been a joyous night celebrating new beginnings with family and friends has become yet another tragedy in the ever growing list of mass shootings in the United States, a uniquely American phenomenon that we have failed as a society to address.
“As the investigation into this horrific crime remains ongoing, it is prudent for all of us to reserve judgment and refrain from drawing conclusions before all the facts are known. However, what is undeniable is that this was a mass murder of innocent people made easier, indeed, made possible, by easy access to weapons designed to maim and kill with ruthless efficiency.
“This simply does not happen with such frequency in other countries. Meanwhile, in the United States, this is the 33rd mass shooting in 2023, a year which, so far, has only had 23 days.
“The Georgia Legislative AAPI Caucus has reached out to some of our colleagues in California to offer support. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those killed, injured and traumatized by this attack. The damage wrought is incalculable to those immediately affected and communities far beyond.
“But, more than that, to honor the lives of those who were senselessly taken and needlessly injured, we pledge our energy and action towards advancing concrete solutions to address gun violence in our communities. Justice requires us to not just speak out, but to also act to protect those communities and prevent such tragedies from continuing to occur.
“Our communities deserve to live, raise families and celebrate together free from the fear and threat of gun violence. Inaction is inexcusable. We cannot talk about public safety without discussing the immediate, constant and pervasive threat that gun violence poses to the public. We cannot offer condolences without consideration of common sense gun safety legislation to protect those we took an oath to serve.
“We stand with our friends and the families in California during this difficult time.”
Representative Michelle Au represents the citizens of District 50, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Public Health and Special Rules committees.
Representative Sam Park represents the citizens of District 107, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as the House Minority Caucus Whip. He also serves on the Ethics, Industry and Labor, Intragovernmental Coordination, Small Business Development, Technology and Infrastructure Innovation and Higher Education committees. He is an Ex-Officio member of the Rules Committee.
Representative Marvin Lim represents the citizens of District 98, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Health, Retirement and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Saira Draper represents the citizens of District 90, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision and Juvenile Justice committees.
Representative Farooq Mughal represents the citizens of District 105, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Special Rules, Judiciary Non-Civil and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
Representative Ruwa Romman represents the citizens of District 97, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Information and Audits and Interstate Cooperation committees.
Representative Long Tran represents the citizens of District 80, which includes portions of DeKalb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Creative Arts & Entertainment and Technology and Infrastructure Innovation committees.
Sen. Nabilah Islam represents the 7th Senate District which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She may be reached via email at Nabilah.Islam@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Sheikh Rahman represents the 5th Senate District which includes portions of Lawrenceville, Norcross, Duluth, Tucker, Lilburn and Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County. He may be reached at 404.463.1318 or by email at sheikh.rahman@senate.ga.gov.
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