Khmer Solidarity Association Members of the Khmer Solidarity Association (later known as Cambodian Community Association) made regular visits to Camp Pendleton to support Cambodian evacuees. This photograph from May 1975, shows a large group of the members in front of a quonset hut. (David Kreng Collection)
Cambodian Protest in 1979 In 1979, Cambodians protested against Russian support of the Vietnamese in Cambodia. This picture shows the large crowd of Cambodian protesters marching in downtown Long Beach toward City Hall. The protest gained more prominence since Moscow was hosting the 1980 Olympics and Cambodian leaders used the anti-Communist sentiment to draw more public attention to the plight of Cambodian refugee issues.
Group picture from the first National Conference of Cambodian Associations held in Long Beach, CA As the situation in Cambodia worsened, delegates and representatives of Cambodian associations from across the nation united under one national organization. This group picture is from the first national conference of Cambodian associations from across the United States. The conference was held in Long Beach, California in 1976 with the aim to mobilize resources and come together to ensure the refugees received the needed financial and social support.
Cambodian Protest in LA As reports from survivors of the Khmer Rouge atrocities leaked out to reporters, Cambodians from Long Beach and the surrounding area organized a protest in front of the United Nations building in downtown Los Angeles. In this photo protesters, including young children and teenagers, hold up images of Khmer Rouge committing atrocities and hold up signs that read, “SAVE US FROM GENOCIDE.”(Courtesy of Cambodian Association of America.)
Community Members set up for a Sompeah Kruu Ceremony Parents and supporters of the Spirit of Khmer Angkor dance troupe help set up the altar or the sompeah kruu ceremony held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America in Long Beach, Thursday, November 2006. In addition to items used by dancers and musicians, they have prepared food offerings, which include cooked meat and fresh fruit. Also included are ceremonial objects known as baaysei.
Pin Peat Instruments and Sompeah Kruu Altar Instruments for a Pin Peat ensemble next to the altar for the Spirit of Khmer Angkor sompeah kruu ceremony held at the offices of the Cambodian Association of America, in Long Beach, CA on Thursday, November 23, 2006. Live music at this ceremony is extremely important.