In response to the deaths of eight people, six of whom were Asian women, in the Tuesday, March 16 shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, the Humboldt Asians & Pacific
Islanders (HAPI) in Solidarity and the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bayside will host a walking meditation/vigil on Sunday, March 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. Participants are required to wear masks and practice social distancing on the silent walk and in the courtyard, where there will be a chance to speak.

According to the press release sent out Friday, "The tone of the vigil is compassionate, peaceful, and respectful, to demonstrate support for Asians and Pacific Islanders against whom acts of violence have been increasing over the past year." Participants are invited to bring "letters, flowers, and other mementos of love, care, support and strength." Read the full release below:

Love Over Hate – Coming Together to Stand Against Racism and Misogyny and To Support Asians and Pacific Islanders and Women Against Acts of Violence

The Humboldt Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) and the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (HUUF) invite the public to unite in solidarity against racism and misogyny and to participate in a ‘walking meditation’ in remembrance of the victims of the recent Atlanta shootings. The vigil will be held on Sunday, March 21, from 4-7 PM, on the grounds of the Unitarian Fellowship, 24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA.

We seek to honor the lives of the eight people who were murdered in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 16. Six of the seven women killed were of Asian descent. The tone of the vigil is compassionate, peaceful, and respectful, to demonstrate support for Asians and Pacific Islanders against whom acts of violence have been increasing over the past year. A donations jar will be set out. Any donations received will be sent to the families of the victims and to support the work of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the nation’s largest network of legal and civil rights organizations for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

To keep our community safe, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet apart are required. People are invited to bring letters, flowers, and other mementos of love, care, support, and strength. The walking meditation will begin from the parking lot to the torii, the Japanese gateway to the sacred, where mementos can be left. Then individuals, spaced apart, may walk silently along the pathway, and can also walk behind the Fellowship Hall to the patio courtyard, where individuals may speak their piece. The Fellowship Hall will not be open.

Because this vigil will span 3 hours, people are invited to come for a portion of that time and walk in silence, while on the grounds of the Fellowship. Parking is limited, and individuals leaving will provide space for others to come.

For more information, email [email protected], as well as the Facebook page for HAPI.