FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8th, 2019

Contact:
Tracy La, 858-598-7805, tracy@vietrise.org
Hairo Cortes, 657-272-3475, hairo@chispaoc.org

Little Saigon Stands with El Paso: Vigil Against White Supremacy

“Latinx and Vietnamese communities condemn anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric by local officials that fuels violence against undocumented immigrants.”

Little Saigon, Orange County — On Thursday August 8th, 2019, Latinx and Vietnamese community organizations are holding a vigil to honor the 22 lives lost in El Paso, Texas due to the violence of a white supremacist terrorist. The vigil will take place in the heart of Little Saigon at Freedom Park in Westminster city from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Organizers of the vigil call on local, state, and federal elected officials in Orange County to condemn white supremacy and anti-immigrant rhetoric as they have remained silent, and worse, have served as a conduit to this worldview. 

“It’s clear that the words of our elected officials impact our community. The anti-immigrant language that Trump uses regularly, whether through tweets or  rallies, fueled the violence and murders committed by the white supremacist in El Paso.” said Tracy La, Executive Director of VietRISE. “That’s why we need our local Orange County officials to condemn white supremacy, and protect human rights instead.”

“Vietnamese and Latinx communities are changing the face of Orange County” said Hairo Cortes, Executive Director of Chispa. “And we often remain isolated from one another, even when we share the same neighborhoods and attend the same schools. Today is a moment to come together and remain together.”

What: Little Saigon Vigil Against White Supremacy

When: Thursday, August 8th @ 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Location: Freedom Park, 14180 All American Way, Westminster, CA 92682

 

The Little Saigon community of Orange County includes the cities of Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Fountain Valley and represents the largest community of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.  The vigil is being brought together by VietRISE, Chispa, ICE Out of OC and Together We Will Orange County.

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