Message from the Superintendent/President sent to employees and students, with update sent at 6:30 p.m. January 24, 2023, to include information about a third mass shooting.
Dear College of Marin Community,
We are deeply saddened by the mass killing that took place at Monterey Park on Sunday, January 22. This horrendous act was carried out during the beginning of Lunar New Year festivities, one of the most important holidays celebrated by Asian American communities. We grieve for the losses of families and friends whose loved ones were killed, and we remain hopeful that those who were injured in this tragedy will recover.
As details unfold in a second mass shooting that took place yesterday in Half Moon Bay, we condemn the repeated gun violence happening in our state and across the nation. We recognize the trauma and fear felt by communities of color and stand in solidarity with the many communities experiencing these senseless massacres, our campus community included.
For students seeking mental health support, College of Marin Psychological Services has free and confidential individual therapy, consultation, crisis intervention, and referral resources available. For employees, please reach out to our Employee Assistance Program.
Reach Out for Safe Confidential Help
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普通话/广东话: (800) 520-2356
한국어: (800) 867-3640
Tagalog: (855) 300-2552
हिन्दी: (855) 971-2552
ภาษาไทย: (800) 914-9583
TIẾNG VIỆT: (714) 477-2958
Updated content: It has been brought to my attention that there was another mass shooting that occurred in Oakland yesterday just a few hours after the Half Moon Bay shooting. I understand eight individuals were shot during the filming of a music video and sadly, one of those individuals has died. It’s a truly sad state of affairs when tragedies are not equally covered by the media and when there are so many incidents within such a short period of time that it’s difficult to track. I assure you no disrespect to any community was intended.
As an aside, my mother lives just outside of Yakima, Washington, where the killing of three individuals took place in the early hours of this morning. Fortunately, that individual has been apprehended and detained.
When does this end?!
Respectfully,
David
David Wain Coon, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President