Atlanta-area spa shootings: Victims families to gather for day of healing
ATLANTA - It's been nearly one year since a lone gunman killed eight people at three Atlanta-area spas.
People came together to pay tribute to the victims and their families on Community Remembrance Day, the weekend prior to the anniversary on March 16.
The Asian American Advocacy Fund called for people to come together for a day of healing and to mourn the lives lost.
It was a personal for Robert Peterson as he remembered his mother who was kill.
"Someone said this pain will go away, and I will smile again but to be honest that day has yet to come," Peterson said.
Family members of victims were at the event, which started at 1 p.m. at Blackburn Park, the site of the ninth "Comfort Women" statue in Atlanta sits.
"People often ask me to tell them about my mother, and initially I just think she’s just like any other mother. She just wanted to work to provide for her family friends and someone took that away from us at a time me and my brother needed her the most," Peterson said.
The space was filled with flowers and an Art Exhibit by Asian American Women.
For Bonnie, she says last year’s tragedy was eye-opening but not a surprise.
"It’s a tragedy. It’s basically the 9/11 of the Asian community,"she said. "The tragedy of Asian-Americans being victimized with hatred crimes spiked during pandemic but It’s been going on since the beginning of history and this just brought it to the forefront."
"We are here to say we aren’t just fighting against anti-Asian violence but violence against all communities of color," Phi Nguyen said.
"Want to express how grateful we are. For your encouragement and for remembering her," Peterson said tearfully.
As a community came together still reeling from a life altering experience they vowed to continue to move forward and bring awareness to hate.
"We stand united in our communities. We have a responsibility to stand together in our shared concern for injustice," Peterson said.
Trial of Atlanta spa shooter, Robert Long
A study from the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum shows 74% of Asian American and Pacific Islander women have experienced racism or discrimination in the last year. That's the reality approaching one year since Robert Aaron Long opened fire at three different spas — one in Acworth and two in Atlanta.
Long took a plea deal in Cherokee County, but he faces the death penalty in Fulton County.
"The decisions that I made to seek death were with the complete support of the families and they continue to support this office," District Attorney Fani Willis said.
The shooting sparked outrage and protests.
"A 21-year-old white man targeted three Asian businesses driving 40 minutes from one spot to another passing other adult entertainment businesses — this was an attack on the Asian community," Rep. Bee Nguyen said at a rally days after the shootings.
Asian American advocacy groups now call for people to come together to mourn the lives lost.