Loud, Sizable (Abt 150 People) Cambodia-Town Protest Saturday Night Over Visiting Son Of Cambodia's Prime Minister

Loud, Sizable (Abt 150 People) Cambodia-Town Protest Saturday Night Over Visiting Son Of Cambodia's Prime Minister

LBReport.com | April 10, 2016

(April 10, 2016, 8:40 a.m.) -- LBREPORT.com has learned that about (LBPD estimate) 150 people held a loud but free-speech protected peaceful demonstration on Saturday night (April 9) outside a Cambodia Town restaurant, protesting the visiting presence of Hun Manet, a West Point educated Lieutenant in the Cambodian Army and the son of Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen. 

Last night's audible/visible protest reflects strongly held views by some in LB's Cambodian community who charge repressive actions (also charged by groups including Human Rights Watch) by the Cambodian government under Hun Manet's father (in power for over 25 years) amid the still-raw legacy of the murderous former Khmer Rouge (Pol Pot) regime (the "Killing Fields.") 



On March 22, a sizable crowd from LB's Cambodian community came to the City Council to object to the then-planned presence of Lt. Hun Manet, invited by LB's Cambodian Coordinating Council, to participate in the April Cambodian New Year Parade. Faced with what amounted to a rift in LB's Cambodian community, a number of LB Councilmembers and the Mayor indicated they wouldn't participate in the parade if Hun Manet were part in the parade. Lt. Hun then indicated he wouldn't take part of the parade...and LB Councilmembers and the Mayor indicated they would participate in today's (April 10) parade. 

Regarding last night's (April 9) protest demonstration, LBPD Watch Commander Mark Coble says a crowd estimated at roughly 150 people held a quite loud but otherwise peaceful demonstration outside LB's La Lune restaurant (area Anaheim/Atlantic) where Lt Coble said a visitor from Cambodia was apparently speaking or a guest [didn't confirm the person's name which we've done independently.] LBPD's presence was to ensure that the demonstrators' 1st Amendment/free speech rights were peacefully observed and respected, Lt. Coble said. 

The protest, which began about 6 p.m. and ended in the 9 p.m. hour, was loud but peaceful, Lt. Coble said, and added that the demonstrators were cooperative with LBPD. 

Lt Coble said that at one point, an individual tripped, fell and was injured and LBFD arrived to treat him; at another point, Lt. Coble said some third party (not LBPD) allegedly pepper-sprayed someone (unclear exactly what happened.) 

The protest demonstration ultimately ended peacefully