A Talented Life Cut Short: Remembering Afa Ah Loo

Hey friend, I just read this incredibly sad story and wanted to share it with you. It’s about Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer from Utah, who tragically lost his life at a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City on June 14th.

Afa, as he was known, was a beloved figure in the Pacific Islander community. He was incredibly talented, a co-founder of Creative Pacific (a non-profit celebrating Pacific Island culture), and even appeared on Project Runway! He designed clothes for high-profile figures like Auli’i Cravalho (Moana!). The GoFundMe page set up for his family paints a picture of a devoted husband and father of two, a man deeply connected to his Samoan heritage.

The tragedy unfolded during a large “No Kings” protest (around 10,000 people) against President Trump’s policies. A man, Arturo Gamboa, pulled out a rifle, prompting a peacekeeping volunteer to fire shots. Unfortunately, Afa was caught in the crossfire and died from his injuries. Gamboa has been charged with murder.

The whole situation is incredibly complex. The police are investigating both Gamboa’s actions and the actions of the peacekeeping team. While the peacekeeping volunteers were trying to maintain order, the incident highlights the tragic consequences of firearms at protests, especially given Utah’s lax gun laws.

The “No Kings” protests themselves took place across the US that day, and while mostly peaceful, other incidents of violence occurred in other locations (e.g., a car driving into a crowd in Virginia). It was a day marked by both political tension and senseless violence.

Afa’s death is a huge loss for his family, friends, and the entire community. It’s a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of gun violence, even in the context of a protest.

I know you’ll agree this is a deeply upsetting story. It’s important to remember Afa’s life and legacy, and to consider the broader implications of this tragedy.

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