Atlanta, March 13, 2025 — Four years after a devastating series of shootings at three Atlanta-area spas left eight people dead, including six Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, the Asian American Legislative Caucus and the Asian Justice Movement gathered at the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday to honor the victims and reflect on the lasting impact of the tragedy.
The attacks, which occurred on March 16, 2021, at Young’s Asian Massage in Acworth and two spas in northeast Atlanta, sent shock waves through the nation, drawing attention to the rise in anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspect, Robert Aaron Long, was arrested hours later and charged with multiple counts of murder and assault.
During the investigation, Mr. Long claimed the shootings were not racially motivated but rather an attempt to eliminate sources of temptation tied to his self-described sex addiction. However, many activists and community leaders have long argued that the attacks cannot be divorced from the historical sexualization and fetishization of Asian women in the United States, as well as the broader climate of anti-Asian sentiment that surged during the pandemic.
“As we approach the fourth anniversary, we must reflect on the tragedy and the unity it has galvanized within the Asian American community. We must also remember the names of the victims,” said Representative Long Tran, Chair of Georgia’s AAPI Legislative Caucus, during the press conference.
The names of the eight victims were read aloud, a solemn reminder of the lives lost:
Hyun Jung Grant (Korean: 김현정)
Soon Chung Park (박순정)
Suncha Kim (김순자)
Yong Ae Yue (유용애)
Xiaojie Tan (Chinese: 谭小洁)
Daoyou Feng (冯道友)
Delaina Ashley Yaun
Paul Andre Michels
“We stand here to honor them and to remember them. Racism has no place in our society. Racism and violence must not prevail. Accountability and justice for the families who lost loved ones on that day,” said Representative Charlice Byrd, echoing the sentiments of many in attendance.
The shootings sparked a nationwide reckoning with anti-Asian violence, leading to increased advocacy and political engagement within the AAPI community. Bonnie Youn of the Georgia Asian American Bar Association (GAPABA) noted that the tragedy, coupled with the rise in hate incidents during the pandemic, had a profound impact on Georgia’s political landscape.
“It was the result of nationwide racism during the COVID-19 pandemic and the March 16 tragedy that deeply impacted the Asian American communities,” Ms. Youn said. “The rise of hatred and social violence has prompted 13 AAPI individuals to be elected to the Georgia Assembly, the largest number ever elected in the state’s history.”
The press conference served as a prelude to a community remembrance event planned for March 16, 2025, at the Norcross Community Center. The event, which begins at 3:00 p.m., will bring together community members, activists, and elected officials to honor the victims and reaffirm their commitment to combating racism and violence.
As Atlanta prepares to mark the somber anniversary, the legacy of the victims remains a rallying cry for justice, unity, and change. “We cannot let their deaths be in vain,” said Representative Tran. “Their memory must inspire us to build a society where hatred and violence have no place.”
