Executive Directors Letter

May 17, 2022

We may never know who, or how many, lives were saved in New York and California.

In Buffalo, New York, a retired police officer Aaron Salter, 55, was the security guard at the Tops Market on Saturday. As a gunman opened fire, Salter confronted him, giving other people precious time to seek safety.

In California, Dr. John Cheng, 52, a physician with South Bay Medical Group in Aliso Viejo, was killed when he charged a gunman and attempted to disarm him, at Laguna Woods Church, a Taiwanese congregation in Orange County. As a result of his actions, the parishioners had time to subdue the attacker while waiting for help.

Both men lost their lives in these brutal attacks, but are honored here and elsewhere for their sacrifices on behalf of their communities and for their humanity. Let us lift up their names along with the names of the other wounded and dead, and their families.

Let’s not amplify the hate, but embrace the love while fighting for change.

All my best,

Jeannie