HALF MOON BAY, Calif. – The city of Half Moon Bay, California, is set to hold a One-Year Remembrance Ceremony in honor of the victims and survivors of a mass shooting at two mushroom farms on January 23, 2023. The event is being organized by the Farmworker Memorial and Remembrance Advisory Committee, formed by the city, and is intended to commemorate the tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven farmworkers. The ceremony will take place at the Boys and Girls Club Event Center, and is expected to draw various community leaders and officials, including State Sen. Josh Becker, Assembly member Marc Berman, and former United States Rep. Jackie Speier. The committee, which comprises community members, victim relatives, farmworkers, and nonprofit organizations, is also working on a memorial fixture.
Last year, the tragedy shook the community, prompting a renewed focus on issues affecting farmworkers, such as poor living conditions, mental health, and access to fair pay. The mass shooting revealed the struggles faced by farmworkers in the city, leading to efforts to address these challenges. In response, the city has secured funding to build a 46-unit affordable housing development for farmworkers and their families, with hopes that it will pave the way for more accessible housing in the future.
The city’s mayor, Joaquin Jimenez, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues and ensuring that farmworkers are not forgotten. He also highlighted the need for transformation and action in the aftermath of the tragedy, signaling a shift towards tangible solutions for the well-being of farmworkers in the community.
The One-Year Remembrance Ceremony will feature a unique sound healing activity and a candlelight procession, as a means of honoring the victims and bringing the community together. The event aims to provide solace and support to those affected by the tragic incident, while also raising awareness about the challenges faced by farmworkers in Half Moon Bay.
The alleged perpetrator, Chunli Zhao, 66, is facing multiple charges, including seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and remains in custody on a no-bail status. The city continues to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting, seeking to ensure the well-being and safety of its farmworker community while remembering the lives lost on that fateful day in January 2023.