Reflections on Organizing Ottawa’s Vigil for Atlanta Shooting Victims in 2021

In this article, we share our experiences involved in organizing a vigil for the Atlanta shooting victims in March 2021. We were part of a small voluntary community group that came together and took the name of Asian Canadian Community Group based on our shared desire to take actions against anti-Asian racism and misogyny, especially after witnessing the targeted tragic death of Asian women in Atlanta, the United States, in 2021. The Asian Canadian Community Group is a mix of people, mostly women, who are first- or second-generation Asian immigrants and Canadians. While all members have had extensive engagement with diverse community demographic groups, we have very uneven experiences with grassroots organizing against racism and misogyny, with some being totally new to such grassroots activism and others being veterans bringing to the group rich experiences and deep understanding. Together, we shared a goal to have a collective voice heard and to increase understanding among members from diverse backgrounds on the issue of anti-Asian racism and misogyny

Atlanta · Grassroots · Immigration · Racism · Solidarity · Vigil · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies