A wounded city marks the Lunar New Year

ONE YEAR AFTER A MASS SHOOTING LEFT 11 DEAD AND nine injured at Star Ballroom Dance Studio during a Lunar New Year dance party, Monterey Park, Calif., is preparing for its annual festival. But the festivities will carry a different weight this year.

- SIMMONE SHAH

The city-typically the first in the region to kick off Lunar New Year-pushed back its annual festival by a week, to Jan. 28, still about two weeks ahead of many New Year celebrations.

"We're trying to be very mindful of the fact that there are going to be residents in this community who were impacted by the shooting last year, who might not have a friend or family member to celebrate with them, and that it also might bring back thoughts of grief," says Jose Sanchez, mayor of Monterey Park. "That's OK, that's part of the healing process."

The city plans to bring back its typical two-day Lunar New Year festival-shutting down a busy street for entertainment and activities that draw thousands of visitors. But it also plans additional events, including a training on "red flag" laws, and held a citywide vigil on Jan. 21 to honor the victims and create space for those who are still healing.