Melissa Michelson is tired of “thoughts and prayers.”

The 15-year San Gabriel Valley resident is sick of hearing politicians evoke the words “hearts and minds.” Sure, she said, she’s grieving for her community after the Jan. 21 Monterey Park shooting where 11 innocents lost their lives and many others were injured.

But, mostly, she’s angry. And she’s asking for action.

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Michelson, a member of San Gabriel Valley Progressive Alliance, is co-organizing a protest tonight at 6:30 p.m. outside Star Dance Studio, the site of the deadly attack. They’ll have signs for anyone who comes out, she said.

“We don’t want to interrupt any type of somber ceremonies,” said Michelson, of the vigil that is also planned for this evening. “But,” she added, “politicians aren’t addressing the problem.”

Michelson is a teacher of adults for English as a Second Language. She’s online daily with about 15 students who are reeling about the violence that’s beset their community. They don’t want to go out at night. They are confused. They are fearful.

But rather than wallow in sorrow, she tells them Wednesday morning:

“We feel sorry, sure, but we also want you to fight back!,” she tells class members on the Zoom call.

Michelson said it’s not fair that her students, or the entire San Gabriel Valley community, should live this way. And, she’s calling on local, state and national leaders to help.

“The only people who can help us not live in fear are elected officials,” Michelson said. “It’s their responsibility to provide a safe place for all of us.”

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President Joe Biden, she said, has encouraged the Senate to come up with new gun control laws following the Monterey Park mass shooting, but that’s not enough.

“The local leaders,” she said, “they’re not saying a peep.” She specifically cited a letter to residents from Monterey Park City officials that was void of any mention about gun control. Instead, it was just “hearts and minds and stuff like that,” she said.

Michelson, in a phone interview Wednesday morning, wasn’t aware that Vice President Kamala Harris was expected to visit Star Dance Studio the evening of the protest.

“If she’s there and she’s not talking (about gun control), we’re gonna ask her about this,” Michelson said.

Residents rely on political leaders to keep them safe, Michelson added. And she’s frustrated that many leaders are avoiding the topic and not taking a stance on gun control.

“We don’t want platitudes any more,” she said. “I think a lot of people feel the same way.”