LONG BEACH >> Chanting in Khmer and gripping homemade signs, a group gathered Monday to protest recent Cambodian election results.
The rally aimed to bring awareness to what many Cambodian immigrants believe is a corrupt voting system.
More than nine million people were eligible to vote in the July 28 general elections for 123-person National Assembly. Allegations of voter fraud have been levied against Cambodian People’s Party. The ruling party won 68 seats and the Cambodian National Rescue Party captured 55 seats.
“We’re here for the real Cambodian voter, for freedom and for justice in Cambodia,” said Albert Roath, an organizer of the event on Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue in Long Beach. “We’re sending a clear message to put pressure on Cambodia and to get the United Nations to investigate the election.”
Organizers passed out water bottles to elderly Cambodian residents while small children scampered around them. About 100 people attended the rally.
Protestors said the gathering hopefully will lead to the United Nations to take a more active role in the investigation of the election results being conducted by the National Election Committee.
“The National Election Committee is comprised of people in the ruling party,” said So Naro, the former personal assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen. “This is a very serious issue that needs transparency and a fair investigation not conducted by the National Election Committee.”
Many Long Beach residents took off work to participate in the protest.
“We just want justice and we need the U.N. to help the Cambodian people,” Roath said.
Similar gatherings were also held in major cities such as San Francisco, Seattle and New York.
The rally aimed to bring awareness to what many Cambodian immigrants believe is a corrupt voting system.
More than nine million people were eligible to vote in the July 28 general elections for 123-person National Assembly. Allegations of voter fraud have been levied against Cambodian People’s Party. The ruling party won 68 seats and the Cambodian National Rescue Party captured 55 seats.
“We’re here for the real Cambodian voter, for freedom and for justice in Cambodia,” said Albert Roath, an organizer of the event on Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue in Long Beach. “We’re sending a clear message to put pressure on Cambodia and to get the United Nations to investigate the election.”
Organizers passed out water bottles to elderly Cambodian residents while small children scampered around them. About 100 people attended the rally.
Protestors said the gathering hopefully will lead to the United Nations to take a more active role in the investigation of the election results being conducted by the National Election Committee.
“The National Election Committee is comprised of people in the ruling party,” said So Naro, the former personal assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen. “This is a very serious issue that needs transparency and a fair investigation not conducted by the National Election Committee.”
Many Long Beach residents took off work to participate in the protest.
“We just want justice and we need the U.N. to help the Cambodian people,” Roath said.
Similar gatherings were also held in major cities such as San Francisco, Seattle and New York.
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