THE FLAG of [South] Vietnam is displayed in Westminster for a week in April (Flickr/John Sonderman).
A proposal to widen the number of commemorative flags flown on city property was rejected by the Westminster City Council on Wednesday night.
The council voted three to two – with Councilmembers Carlos Manzo and Kimberly Ho opposed – to take no action on Manzo’s motion to adopt a flag display policy similar to one recently approved by the Riverside City Council.
On May 2, the RCC approved a policy authorizing flags such as those observing Black History Month (February), LGBTQ Pride Month (June) and Latino/a Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct 15).
Manzo raised the point that the city flies the banner of the former Republic of (South) Vietnam for a week to commemorate the fall of Saigon in April 1975.
“There are a lot of groups that have suffered discrimination and by flying their flags we show solidarity with them,” said Manzo.
Councilmember Amy Phan West replied that it was impossible to fly the flag of every group that desired that and defended the display of the South Vietnamese flag as something supported broadly by a community with a large Vietnamese population.
“If we allow all other flags, we open up a can of worms,” she said.
Westminster generally flies the U.S., California and city flags.
Categories: Westminster
Those opposing all those other flags are right…it’s a Pandora’s box. Who would have the authority to draw a line on what kinds and how many flags the city would have to purchase to please everyone. The Vietnam Flag already on display, is a question, I understand there are many Vietnamese in the community. Just like the sign “Little Saigon” along the freeway caused bad feelings, Americans also don’t like the Mexican flag flying on houses. This is America, not a foreign country,though we may soon transition to a Balkanized Country then all flags will fly. Those who opposed other flags was farsighted at problems that would come. Bless you for the insight!
Say what you want….sugar coat it as you want….the flying of other countries flags is WRONG….EXPECIALLY IF ITS THE FLAG OF A COMMUNIST COUNTRY SUCH AS VIETNAM.
IF YOU LIVE IN AMERICA THE STARS AND STIPES IS YOUR FLAG. we have Americans from Italy,Germany,France, Canada, Mexico, and the list goes on…..WHY AREN’T YOU FLYING THEIR COUNTRIES FLAGS. Stop the madness …your destroying our country.
Southern part of Vietnam was fighting for democracy along side American soldiers.
But you’re right, it’s tough to accommodate all the flags in our country like the black flag with the blue stripe that looks like the American flag. Which country is that? I only know red, white and blue.