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San Diego Council proclaims Black April, honors Vietnamese American community
Summary
Council adopted proclamations recognizing the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and honoring Vietnamese American history. Community leaders, veterans, and cultural organizations testified in support and recounted family stories; the proclamations passed unanimously.
San Diego’s City Council on April 15 adopted a set of proclamations honoring the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and recognizing the contributions and resilience of the city’s Vietnamese American community.
Community members filled the chamber to share personal histories and reflections. Alisa Tu, who serves as a programmer for the San Diego Asian Film Festival, described the cultural legacy of Vietnamese diasporic film and pageant traditions and asked the council to mark the milestone. "As a daughter of refugees...it marks the era of ... music I still listen to to feel connected to my family," Tu said.
Terry Craft, president and CEO of the USS Midway Museum, recounted the Midway’s role in Operation Frequent Wind and said the ship would host a commemoration expected to draw thousands later that month. John Tran, Pha Le and many local community leaders and educators also recounted family stories of displacement, resilience, and civic contribution.
Councilmembers emphasized the proclamations’ role in recognition and healing and thanked veterans, service members, nonprofits and cultural organizations for their work. Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee (remarks referenced in the transcript) led the motion recognizing "Black April Memorial Month," noting past resolutions and the city’s long history of welcoming refugees.
The proclamations were approved as part of the consent agenda and the council invited community members to join upcoming commemorations, including events at the USS Midway.
Next steps: the council and community organizers plan commemorative events throughout April and later in the month; the Midway event was noted as a major public commemoration.
