UC Community gathers in solidarity to honor victims of Atlanta spa shooting

Utica Community
Utica Stories
UC Community gathers in solidarity to honor victims of Atlanta spa shooting

The event was opportunity to bring the community together to reveal and share the Utica College Stance Statement on matters of hate, violence, and threats to humanity and their impacts on members of the college community.

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Collaborative PIO-Talk Support and Resource Group gathered on March 22 to remember the eight victims of the Atlanta, Georgia Spa Shooting and to gather in solidarity with members of the Utica College community whom this tragedy has impacted.

On March 16, 2021, a series of mass shootings occurred at three spas or massage parlors in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Eight people were killed, and one other person wounded. The names of those killed were:

Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33
Paul Andre Michels, 54
Xiaojie Tan, 49
Daoyou Feng, 44
Soon Chung Park, 74
Hyun Jung Grant, 51
Suncha Kim, 69
Yong Ae Yue, 63

It was opportunity to bring the community together to reveal and share the Utica College Stance Statement on matters of hate, violence, and threats to humanity and their impacts on members of the college community. The UC Stance Statement has been approved by the Office for Diversity Equity and Inclusion, the President's Student Cabinet for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Social Justice, the Board of Trustees, the Faculty Senate, and the Student Government Association.

The Statement was read by members of the Utica College community in a virtual speak out and discussion while hosting of a candlelight vigil during a moment of silence for
the victims. The event also provided members of the Utica College community the time and space to share comments, poetry, spoken word or share their support in solidarity for Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander members of the Utica College community through their own reflections.