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Recommendation to adopt a Proclamation commemorating the 30-year anniversary of the Killing Fields and to recognize April 17th as a Day of Mourning.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach is home to many Cambodians who sought refuge from an
auto-genocide historically known as the Kiling Fields. The atrocities of the Killing Fields began on April 17, 1975 when the Khmer Rouge, a communist guerrilla group, took power in Phnom Penh , the capital of Cambodia.
The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, forced all city dwellers into the
countryside and to labor camps. During their rule , it is estimated that 2 milion
Cambodians died by starvation torture or execution. This represented
approximately 30% of the Cambodian population during that time. Cambodia was devastated during the Khmer Rouge years and the country is still faced with the daunting task of healing physically, mentally and economically.
The scars of the Khmer Rouge massacres are borne by survivors and the
families of victims living in Long Beach and throughout the world. We ask the
City of Long Beach to join the international community in commemorating the 30-year anniversary of Killing Fields and to declare April as a day of mourning.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
[Respectfully Submitted,]