WESTMINSTER CITY HALL
A resolution establishing the official ceremonies to annually commemorate “Viet Flag Affirmation Day” and Flag Day was approved by the Westminster City Council when it met on Wednesday. The vote was 3-1 with Councilmember Amy West opposed and Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho absent.
Viet Flag Affirmation Day calls for the display of the flag of the former Republic of [South] Vietnam on designated city streets for three days prior to the first day of the lunar new year and on Flag Day, which calls for the display of just the U.S. flag on June 14.
The flag of the former Republic of Vietnam is described as three red stripes on a field of gold.
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen noted that the city has long held a Flag Day ceremony which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and of his intention to re-instate the event, although to a more modest extent compared to previous Flag Day observances.
Councilmember Amy Phan West accused the mayor of trying to claim credit for the observances and wanting to “burden” the city with associated events. She favored having community members organize the Vietnamese flag celebrations at no cost to the city and have the city do the Flag Day ceremony.
Councilman Carlos Manzo decried what he called “creating division” and said “let’s just move on.”
A substitute motion by West to separate the two flag ceremonies failed for the lack of a second.
On a 4-0 vote, the council approved a resolution recognizing March as Women’s History Month establishing a recognition ceremony.