Public Forum with Sam Rainsy, Kem Sokha, Mu Sochua - Virginia, Wednesday, Aug 8

PUBLIC FORUM

Falls Church, Virginia

Cambodian Americans for Human Rights and Democracy (CAHRAD) cordially invite you to meet Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mr. Kem Sokha and Mrs. Mu Sochua of the newly formed Cambodian Democratic Movement for National Rescue as they tour the United States and Canada to talk about their newly formed movement and their plan to merge the Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party.

Date & Time:

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Reception

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Updates, Questions & Answers

Dinner: $25 per person

Location: Harvest Moon Restaurant, 7260 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042

Please RSVP by 5 pm on Tuesday, August 7, as spaces are limited, by contacting one of the following: info@CAHRAD.org http://www.CAHRAD.org

For further information, please contact one of the following people:
Mrs. Rany Lusinsky (703) 723-4273
Mrs. Marie Chea (703) 327-4104
Mr. Tung Yap (703) 675-3997
Mr. Mong Heng (703) 256-3295
Mr. Hean Yuth (703) 201-6248
Mr. Saunora Prom (703) 802-4750
Mr. Yan Yuth (703) 967-9919
Mr. Vibol Tan (703) 745-7020

Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy Visit Richmond, VA

May 28, 2011: Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy Visit Richmond, VA

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SRP-PA FACEBOOK  PHOTO FROM RICHMOND, VA ON MAY 28, 2011

May 27, 2011: Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy Visit Philadelphia, PA

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SRP-PA FACEBOOK PHOTOS FROM PHILADELPHIA, PA ON MAY 27, 2011

Commemorating the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement - Falls Church, VA, Saturday, October 23, 2010

Commemorating the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement - Falls Church, VA, Saturday, October 23, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

The Cambodian Americans for Human Rights and Democracy (CAHRAD) and the Cambodian community in the greater Washington, DC will join a world-wide rally and commemoration of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement by sponsoring a lunch event in Falls Church, VA, on Saturday, October 23, 2010, 12:30-2:30 pm.

Nineteen years ago (1991) - eighteen countries and Cambodia's representatives - were gathering in Paris signing under the auspices of the United Nation General Secretary the so-called "Paris Peace Agreement" to return Cambodia to a peaceful, independence, and democratic nation after tremendous suffering and oppressive under genocidal Khmer Rouge regime and illegal invading Communist Vietnamese forces.

October 23rd is a historical, memorable, and unforgettable day for every nationalist Cambodian. Cambodians around the globe - individuals, small groups, big groups, organizations will celebrate to appreciate and grateful to the United Nations, the countries, and distinguished personalities who are thoughtful and committed to provide well-being, fair, and justice to all mankind. At the same time we are gathering to assess and evaluate the outcome of the Agreement.

Date and Time:

Saturday, October 23, 2010

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Speakers: Dr. Khu Kim Tuy and Mr. Saunora Prum

Place:

Harvest Moon Restaurant

7260 Arlington Blvd

Falls Church, VA 22042

703-573-6000

Lunch: $12 per person

Please RSVP by 5 pm on Friday, October 22, by contacting one of the following:

Contact: Email: info@cahrad.org

Website: http://www.CAHRAD.org

For further information, please contact the following members of the Cambodian Americans for Human Rights and Democracy.

Mr. Hean Yuth 703-201-6248

Mr. Tung Yap 703-675-3997

Mr. Mong Heng 703-256-3295

Dr. Khu Kim Tuy 301-603-7466

Mr. Vibol Tan 703-881-8035

Despite Economy, Expectations High For Virginia’s Cambodian Day

Cambodian-Americans celebrate Cambodian Community Day in 2008. (Photo: by Soeung Sophat)

Soeung Sophat, VOA Khmer
Annandale, Virginia Thursday, 19 August 2010

“We want the younger US-born generation to know about their Khmer culture, the geography of Cambodia, as well as what Cambodia is like today.”

Despite being so far away from their homeland, Cambodians in the United States never forgot to come together to celebrate their shared ethnic culture. Near Washington, a small group of Cambodians are again organizing an annual celebration to showcase their culture, even during times of difficulties.

This is the sound of organizers of the upcoming Cambodian Community Day 2010, an annual event showcasing Cambodian culture this Sunday, August 22, in Alexandria near Washington.

Organizers of the Cambodian Community Day say that despite financial and human resource shortages, the group is more than capable of making this year’s event another success.

Yann Somony, President of the CCD, explains that such difficulties do not come in the way of the festival’s main goal.

“We want the younger US-born generation to know about their Khmer culture, the geography of Cambodia, as well as what Cambodia is like today,” she told VOA Khmer.

The Cambodian Community Day has been organized by local Cambodians since 2002. The one-day event has regularly drawn around 3,000 to 4,000 Cambodian and American residents in the Alexandria Washington, DC area.

Past events have included cultural performances like Khmer classical dance, Khmer traditional games, popular songs, Cambodian Buddhist ceremonies, display of Angkor Wat replica and presentation of other tourist sites in Cambodia. According to Yann Somony, this year’s highlights will include hair-cutting ritual in Khmer weddings, Bon Pkha—a Buddhist fundraising ceremony, singing of the national ‘Pong Savada Khmer’ song and presentation of Cambodia’s four northeastern Kratie, Stoeng Treng, Mondol Kiri, and Ratank Kiri provinces.

Tep Sophia, Treasurer and former President of CCD, told VOA Khmer that these activities and promotion of Cambodia serve another major purpose.

“After the Khmer Rouge, some people in America know nothing about Cambodians. So after we had organized the events, they came to realize that Cambodians have had a glorious civilization,” she says, adding that, “we further want them to know that Cambodia has a natural beauty so that they would become interested and want to visit the country.

The festival has also become a community forum, with Cambodian Embassy and Alexandria city officials, local vendors, and civil groups taking part. More than 10 Cambodian and American NGOs are expected at this year’s event to publicize their activities.

Each year’s event has its challenges, particularly the lack of Cambodian artistic materials for display, but the bad economic situation in the US has made this year’s event more difficult, with the city of Alexandria withdrawing its financial support and a shortage of volunteers, on which organizers heavily rely.

Nevertheless, the successes of past years and further publicity of the event has motivated organizers to go ahead confidently. Yann Somony is hopeful that up to 5,000 people could show up at this year’s event.

This motivation, says Tep Sophia, comes from a genuine love for her motherland.

“Even though we live in the U.S. we still love Cambodia…our heart and soul will always be with Cambodia,” she describes emotionally.

She reminds her compatriots in Cambodia that they should equally work together to promote Khmer culture in whatever ways they can. She says CCD would welcome any material donations from individuals and institutions in Cambodia, so that future events will be even more successful.

New Year celebration at Wat Khmer Kampuchea Krom, Manassas, Virginia, USA

In US, Cambodians Celebrate Community

By Sivon Brahm, VOA Khmer
Original report from Virginia
03 September 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

This year's Cambodian Community Day, celebrated in Alexandria, Va., featured a mohori ensemble, classical and folk dances, and a showcase of Cambodian livelihoods, including an open market, rice mill, palm-tree climbers, traditional wedding, cooking show and the making of silk flowers.

The festival, held in Alexandria's Ben Brenman park on Sunday, was co-sponsored by the Alexandria Department of Recreation and the Cambodian Community Day committee, among others.

Sophia Tep, chairman of the Community Day committee, welcomed guests, who were able move under several tents to see traditional Cambodian daily life.

Tropical fruit was available in the market, and visitors watched as a groom carried traditional gifts in a procession for his bride. Music for the procession was provided by a master of classical music, Chum Ngek.

A woman named Pha Ngin showed her skills at making silk flowers and cook Demaz Tep had on offer sweet rice with fresh lobster, beef salad and green mango salad for visitors.

Proceeds from the event went to supporting Cambodian culture and higher education in the US.

Obituary

On behalf of Khmers Kampuchea-Krom, we would like to sadly announce the passing of Respectful Venerable Thach Suon, 80 years old, at Noon, on Saturday, January 26, 2008, in Virginia State, USA.

Before passing away, Venerable Thach Suon stayed at Wat Khmer Kampuchea Krom in Virginia State, USA. He originally came from Wat Sla-Pang, Rumdoul Commune, Tra Kou district, Preah Trapeang Province, Kampuchea Krom.

Our deepest sympathy and prayers go to the surviving relatives of Venerable Thach Suon. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

For more information regarding to the funeral of Venerable Thach Suon, please contact

• Mr. Thach Ngoc Chia at 703-220-1109 or
• Mr. Thach Phol at 703-434-9703

Thank you!