LONG BEACH - More than a hundred people gathered in the
heart of Cambodia Town Monday morning to voice outrage at the result of
the Cambodian election in late July.
“We’re here for the real
Cambodian voter, for freedom and for justice in Cambodia,” said Albert
Roath, an organizer of the event. “We’re sending a clear message to put
pressure on Cambodia and to get the United Nations to investigate the
election.”
This past election was the first time that general
elections were held in Cambodia with more than nine million Cambodians
eligible to vote for the National Assembly, made up of 123 people. The
results have been controversial, with the ruling party, the Cambodian
People’s Party, winning 68 seats and the opposing party, the Cambodian
National Rescue Party, winning 55 seats.
The protest, held in major cities such as San Francisco, Seattle
and New York, aimed to bring awareness to what many Cambodian immigrants
in Long Beach believe to be a corrupt voting system disguised to be
fair.
They hope that their protest, and others like it, will
cause the U.N. to take a more active role in the investigation that is
being conducted by the National Election Committee.
“The National
Election Committee is comprised of people in the ruling party,” said So
Naro, the former personal assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen. “This is a
very serious issue that needs transparency and a fair investigation not
conducted by the National Election Committee.”
Many Long Beach residents took off work in order to participate
in the protest, waving handmade signs and shouting chants in Cambodian.
Others drove by, honking their horns in support.
Organizers hoped to draw up to 1,000 people at the protest on Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue.
“We just want justice and we need the U.N. to help the Cambodian people,” Roath said.
3 comments:
it democracy country, it freedom of expression, they have the rights to protests..
indeed, they had free times for this, as they had no job to works.,
enjoy & have a good time, while in Long Beach,,,
play smart - don't play dumb,
most importlant: do not destroy our beloved country
55 of 123 parliamentary seats represents a significant share of power and remarkable accomplishment of the CNRP. What is the motif behind the desire to win the election ? Isn't an opportunity and the power to control and guide the destination of the country and the people ? If that is so, the new power seems just right for now, working along with the CPP. Everyone is well aware of the destructions brought about by protests in some other nations(Egypt, Lybia, Syria), recently. With that, why would a responsible leader(s), some news medias(Cambodian and international alike), along with some NGOs seem so compelling, pushing for or encouraging the protest ? Many with the urge to see such protest happen seem to forget that there are millions of people on the other side as well(CPP supporters). Working along with the CPP, looking forward to a possible non-controversial victory 4-5 years from now, is clearly the best option for the CNRP. Think of, if you have the knowledge, the US president JFK during the US-Russain standoff and the potential nuclear war that was averted. President JFK got credit for that. The CNRP's leader(s) can learn from that and possibly will be honored later in history. Potential danger here can also be averted. It takes the right vision and courage of one or more CNRP's leaders, especially Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy, because all it takes now is a yes or a go from these two individuals for the protest to begin.
Hun Sen Vietminh/Vietcong GO HOME!
Post a Comment