Pechanga Tribe Donates $100K Toward GoFundMe For Monterey Park Mass Shooting Victims

Yesterday, an Indigenous tribe in California made a generous donation of $100K to a GoFundMe page set up to support the victims of the recent mass shooting in Monterey Park, California.

The Pechanga Band of Indians made this donation in response to the outpouring of support and affection shown for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community following the tragedy.

This money will go towards covering funeral and medical costs for those affected. We applaud their generous donation and hope that other charitable organizations will follow in their footsteps and help those affected by this tragic event.

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro described how the community of Monterey Park had reached out many years back to include the tribe in their annual Lunar New Year celebrations.

Macarro said, from a Tribal statement:

“Pechanga has made great friends and acquaintances through Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year Festival. Like so many throughout California, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy and extend our deepest condolences and support for the victims.”

This money will go towards covering funeral and medical costs for those affected by this senseless violence.

11 people were killed, and 9 more were injured, when Huu Can Tran stormed into Star Ballroom Dance Studio after having shown up unexpectedly in prior weeks.

Those murdered include Xiujuan Yu, Hongying Jian, Lilan Li, My My Nhan, Muoi Dai Ung, Diana Man Ling Tom, Wen Tau Yu, Valentino Marcos Alvero, Yu Lun Kao, Ming Wei Ma, and Chia Ling Yau.

For those interested. individual GoFundMe pages have been set up for families’ expenses.

Opinion

This act of kindness by the Pechanga Band of Indians is a powerful reminder that we are all connected and can come together in moments of tragedy. It is our responsibility to show up for each other and support those who have been affected by this senseless violence.

It is also our duty to create a safe and welcoming world for everyone. With this donation, the Pechanga Band of Indians has made a meaningful impact in the lives of many AAPI families – and we hope that their example will inspire others to join them in making a difference.

Let us all continue to stand together, lift each other up, and work toward creating an equitable future for all. No one is spared the pain arising from hatred and violence, but we can unite for the healing process.