China News Service, January 20. According to the American "Overseas Chinese News" report, hundreds of people of all ethnic groups gathered in New York Times Square on the evening of the 18th to mourn the victim of the subway attack on Saturday (15th), Michelle Alyssa. Go, formerly translated by Michelle Wu).
Mayor Adams, Congressman Meng Zhaowen, State Attorney General Zhan Lexia and many other elected officials delivered speeches to express their condolences and called on New Yorkers to abandon racial prejudice and work together to tackle the dual crisis of public security and mental health.
The event was coordinated and hosted by Asians Fighting Injustice with the assistance and support of Meng Zhaowen's office, and was supported and sponsored by many community groups and individuals.
Michelle's portrait was broadcast on the big screen near the event that night.
Mayor Adams emphasized in the on-site eulogy that to solve the current public security problem, we must pay equal attention to law enforcement and mental health services; at the same time, the estrangement between all classes and ethnic groups in New York City has a long history, and people must strengthen communication and dialogue , to eliminate prejudice and misunderstanding between each other.
He said that on the 18th, he attended the memorial service for the fifth anniversary of the death of a deceased police officer, and then visited the family of a 19-year-old girl who was killed in a burger restaurant, and now he came to Michelle's memorial service. on site.
It reminded him of his experience as a subway patrol officer in the area in the 1980s, and of standing with the parents of a young Chinese deliveryman who was killed years ago.
"We're not going to go back to those days gone by, and I'm saying this not from the mayor's perspective, but from my lifelong belief. We have to make New York a place where people can raise their families in peace."
Adams also stressed that those who are on the streets can no longer be ignored, they must not be demonized, and they must be given the necessary help.
So the city is now taking action to get law enforcement officers, along with counselling professionals, to help those in need.
Congressman Meng Zhaowen said in his speech that Michelle was missed and admired by people for her kindness, generosity and years of volunteering, but people gathered here today not only to remember her, but more importantly, to act to seek fairness, justice, and answers to many questions.
"In the past year or two, the Asian Pacific American community has been hit hard, and many people are afraid to take to the streets, take the subway, or even go out. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, injustice anywhere , are a threat to justice everywhere.”
Meng Zhaowen said that no single solution is enough to solve the current mental health and public safety crisis.
Some want stronger law enforcement, some want more mental health services, and some blame specific ethnicities.
But none of this solves the problem, which is rooted in deep-rooted poverty and racism.
"Focusing on each other among our different ethnic groups will not help solve the problem, and we will not tolerate this kind of racial division. As Asians, we must not forget the many support and assistance that people of different ethnic groups have given us over the past two years. We stand together. So we must cherish this solidarity and friendship, support each other, and seek answers to questions through difficult conversations—including how not to simply leave people with mental illnesses to the criminal justice system , how to prevent those who have been released from prison being forced to live on the streets, how to prevent the police from taking multiple responsibilities of psychological counseling and emergency rescue, etc. These all require us to have difficult dialogues and discussions.”
State Attorney General Zhan Lexia also emphasized in her speech the importance of solidarity among different ethnic groups and safeguarding each other's rights.
A colleague of Michelle at Deloitte and her ex-boyfriend also recalled the time they spent with her at the scene, and cherished her dedication, wisdom, helpfulness, and travel experience around the world.
The colleague said that on the Friday (14th) the day before the accident, the two were still on the phone discussing what to do on Monday (17th).
Michelle's parents, who were dealing with their daughter's funeral in New York, were not present but issued a written statement on behalf of the entire family.
"We are in the midst of the shock and grief of the loss of our daughter, sister and friend," the statement said. "We want people to remember how Michelle lived her life, not just how she died. She was A beautiful, smart, kind woman who loves her family and friends, travels the world and helps others. Her life was taken in a senseless act of violence and we pray she gets the justice she deserves Thank you for your condolences. We hope the media will respect our privacy during this very difficult time."