In Long Beach, Long Debate Over Freeway Expansion

A community center in Long Beach was filled with maps showing how proposed freeway projects might impact residents.

Opponents say an expanded freeway will damage the air quality for poorer residents who live alongside the freeway.

01 September 2012

Brian Calvert, VOA Khmer

“Our Cambodian community is interested in this 710 freeway expansion but they didn't know about this public hearing, and there're lots of Cambodians who live along this 710 freeway.”

LONG BEACH - In Southern California, a protracted debate is taking place over the expansion of a major freeway that carries goods from the port of Long Beach into the rest of the state.

Opponents say an expanded freeway will damage the air quality for poorer residents who live alongside the freeway, including the Cambodian-American community there. State officials say an expansion is necessary to update the old freeway and improve the flow of goods.

In August, a public hearing was held on the issue. A community center in Long Beach was filled with maps showing how proposed freeway projects might impact residents. A massive environmental impact study was on display in a back room. Hundreds of people were given a demonstration on a handful of versions of the expansion.

Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach

Sep 02, 2012
Mercury News (San Jose, California, USA)

Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012.

The Blessing Dance, dancers release flower petals bringing good luck, during act two of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Duet between Hanuman, the Monkey King, performed by Mr. Saranorrin Pheng, and the Golden Mermaid, performed by Ms. Charya Burt during act five of the" Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Blessing Dance, dancers release flower petals bringing good luck, during act two of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Monkeys and Mermaids Dance, scene from act four of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Monkeys and Mermaids Dance, scene from act four of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Prayer Dance-Robam Buong Suong, dancers on stage during act two of the performance of " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

The Flowers Dance- Robam Bopha Lokey, young dancers perform on stage during act seven of the " Echoes of the Royal Court ", Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose and Ho Chan Ensemble from Long Beach perform at Mexican Heritage Theater in the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, September 02, 2012. (Josie Lepe/Staff)

Monthly Documents Bulletin by Ta An Srok Khmer No. 30

https://www.box.com/s/efm88s7ioeu84mg7h1g4

Cambodian Opposition Leader Comes to Long Beach

Kem Sokha (left) and Sam Rainsy in Canada earlier this month.

Thursday, 30 August 2012
By Sarah Bennett
Long Beach Post

Kem Sokha will be speaking to supporters and interested residents Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6PM at La Lune Restaurant, 2801 E. Spring St. A $15 donation is requested.

When Kem Sokha last visited Long Beach in 2002, he was a human rights activist in his war-torn, dictator-ruled homeland of Cambodia. Today, he returns as an even brighter beacon of hope in the country's quest for democracy and will be meeting with local supporters and residents at a community event similar to the ones he is famous for having started in Cambodia.

"I try any which way I can to promote democracy in our country," says Tippana Tith, a Cambodian-American activist who organized the event. "Right now the government is still using the system to suppress people. The world is changing, people are standing up and there is not that much dictatorship anymore. Why does our Cambodian country still have a dictatorship?"

Sokha represents the future of what Tith and many others hope will a political power shift in Cambodia come next July's elections. Not only is Sokha the founder and president of Cambodia's Human Rights Party, but as of July of 2012, he is also the vice president of the Cambodia Democratic Movement for National Rescue—a movement formed by the consolidation of Sokha's party with the Sam Rainsy Party, the country's other oppositional party.

Invitation to meet Mr. Kem Sokha in Long Beach, California on 30 August 2012

Cambodian politician [Kem Sokha] set to speak to supporters in Long Beach

Kem Sokha

August 29, 2012
By Greg Mellen
Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

Former Cambodian human rights advocate and now political opposition leader Kem Sokha will meet with supporters and interested residents Thursday.

The 59-year-old activist- turned-politician is the leader of the Human Rights Party in Cambodia. Recently, Sokha's party and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party submitted an application to the Ministry of Interior to form a new party called Cambodia National Rescue Party in order to compete in the general election in July next year.

The consolidated party hopes to make inroads against the ruling Cambodia People's Party, which holds majorities in both the Cambodian National Assembly and Senate.

Khmerican partners with the oldest Khmer student organizati​on in the United States

Established in 1959, the Cambodian Student Society (CSS) at Cal State Long Beach is America's oldest Khmer student organization. On Sun, Aug 19th, Khmerican formally went into partnership with CSS, setting a strong foundation for Khmerican's long-term goal of connecting with student communities and educational institutions.

Learn more about CSS at http://cambodianstudentsociety.com.
Learn more about Khmerican at http://khmerican.com

Don't mess with Khmer kickboxers!!!

Martial artist Seiha Hak, of Boston, talks with LBPD after he and two other martial artists subdued an alleged robbery suspect, who was taken into custody and transported to hospital after he attempted to rob the VI Mean Chey Jewelry store at 1248 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. (Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)

An alleged robbery suspect is taken into custody and transported to a hospital after he allegedly attempted to rob the VI Mean Chey Jewelry store at 1248 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. (Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)

Jewelry Store owner Chhom Choy is transported to a hospital after an alleged robbery suspect attempted to rob his store VI Mean Chey Jewelry, at 1248 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. (Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)

Martial artists help Long Beach jewelery store owner stop robbery

July 17, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH — A feisty store owner with the help of three martial arts experts foiled an attempted armed robbery Monday at a jewelry store on Anaheim Street.

An unidentified suspect was in police custody and two alleged accomplices who fled the scene were sought after the failed heist at Vi Mean Chey Jewelry in the Cambodia Town section of the city.

According to witnesses, three men attempted to gain access to the store in the 1200 block of Anaheim Street shortly before noon, saying they wanted to buy gold chains.

However, owner Chhom Choy, who has a security system at the store, only allowed one to enter.

Once inside the store, the assailant pulled a gun and vaulted the counter, according to witnesses.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting ... to Stop Jewelry Store Robbery

An alleged robbery suspect is taken into custody and transported to a hospital after he allegedly attempted to rob the VI Mean Chey Jewelry store at 1248 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. (Stephen Carr / Staff Photographer)

Tue., Jul. 17 2012
By Matt Coker
OC Weekly (Orange County, California)
Long Beach

Their hands were fast as lightning . . .

They would be the three martial artists who helped an agitated owner of a jewelry store foil an attempted armed robbery in Long Beach's Cambodia Town.

Thanks to the Good Samaritaninjas, one of three baddies is in custody.

Just before noon Monday, three men came into Vi Mean Chey Jewelry, 200 E. Willard St., near the 1200 block of Anaheim Street, saying they wanted to buy gold chains. But one man pulled out a gun and hopped over the counter.

Owner Chhom Choy, who is a grandfather, began fighting off the intruder and a shot was fired in the scuffle. The gunman then tried to run out of the back of the shop, but there was no exit.

Dinner will honor former Cambodian kickboxing champion Oumry Ban

Oumry Ban, a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion who three times escaped death in his homeland before coming to the U.S. as a refugee, will be celebrated for 25 years as a Khmer kickboxing instructor in Long Beach where he has operated the same small storefront gym. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

7/7/12 - Sparring with Alphonso Collins, Oumry Ban, left, is a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion who three times escaped death in his homeland before coming to the U.S. as a refugee. He will be celebrated for 25 years as a Khmer kickboxing instructor in Long Beach where he has operated the same small storefront gym. A fighting legend in his homeland, Ban now passes on his skills and techniques to fighters of all ages interested in the ancient fighting art. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

7/7/12 - Sparring with Alphonso Collins, Oumry Ban, left, is a former Cambodian national kickboxing champion. A fighting legend in his homeland, Ban now passes on his skills and techniques to fighters of all ages interested in the ancient fighting art. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

07/07/2012By Greg Mellen Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - The smallest man in the room has the biggest heart.

Oumry Ban guides students through a series of punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes in his tiny martial arts studio on Anaheim Street as he has for 25 years.

A former kickboxing champion in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, Ban is generously listed as 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds, but appears somewhere between that and his fighting weight of 110 pounds.

However, the 68-year-old's small frame and gentle disposition belie the fighter's heart that helped him survive the Cambodian genocide and a scary unprovoked attack here in the United States.

It is also the same spirit that has kept Ban going for 25 years at the same location at 223 W. Anaheim St.

Keo opens Long Beach practice for Khmer patients

Dr. Sam Keo (Jeff Gritchen/Press-Telegram)

June 5, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - Sam Keo, a clinical psychologist and Cambodian genocide survivor, has opened a practice in Long Beach geared mostly toward Khmer patients.

Keo is one of few clinical psychologists in the Southland with intimate and first-hand understanding of the Cambodian-American experience and the mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, suffered by the many refugees and genocide survivors and their families in Long Beach.

Keo's practice, which opened its doors Friday at 338 E. Anaheim St., is available by appointment only, although he hopes to add hours and staff as the practice expands. Keo can be reached by phone at 562-661-3656 or e-mail at samkeopsyd@yahoo.com.

New Private Practice in Long Beach

Dear friends,

I have opened my private practice to serve our Long Beach Community. Your generous referral is greatly appreciated.

Please see the attached flyer.

Sincerely,

Samuel N. Keo, Psy.D
Licensed Psychologist-Cambodian
Private Practice Office - KEOMHAT
2338 E. Anaheim Street, Suite 202 C, Long Beach, CA 90804
Phone: 562/661-3656 (Please call to schedule for an appointment)


Author of: Out of the Dark - Into the Garden of Hope
Website: www.drsamkeo.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/samkeopsyd
Email: samkeopsyd@yahoo.com

Working to create a business improvement district in Cambodia Town

L-R: Richer San, first vice chair and Pasin Chanou, chair of Cambodia Town, Inc. are volunteers that have spent years working to create a property business improvement district for Cambodia Town. (Brittany Murray / Staff Photographer)

Also, in case you did not know:

Richer San (3rd from left) on trip to meet Xok An on July 12, 2007

April 26, 2012
By Greg Mellen Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - Richer San walks to a file cabinet and pulls open a file drawer overstuffed with reports, surveys and studies that represent years spent working to create Cambodia Town in Long Beach and, more important, set up a business improvement district along Anaheim Street.

In July, Cambodia Town Inc., will celebrate its fifth anniversary, but San and his volunteer group are only about halfway through their efforts to get 235 of 470 businesses along the busy commercial corridor to commit to the business improvement district, or BID.

The formation of BIDs and property-based improvement districts, or PBIDs, was the topic of discussion at a Town Hall presented by the 6th Council District Office on Tuesday at McBride Park in the Central Area.

Long Beach Celebrated New Year With Pride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vnbat-OCNQ

PTSD from Cambodia's killing fields affects kids who were never there

Kunthea Sin, left, and Amanda Em (Jeff Gritchen / Press-Telegram)

April 22, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH -- Wilson High student Kunthea "Meme" Sin often feels lonely. Amanda Em, a Poly High student, sometimes wondered what was wrong with her parents and why they acted as they did.

Sure, these could be the stories of almost any teenagers growing up through history.

The difference is that as Cambodian-Americans and children of refugees, Sin and Em carry a difficult legacy.

Many must deal with the fallout from a damaged generation of survivors who are now raising families, still struggling to fit into a new culture and inadvertently passing along much of the pain for their children to sift through.

Much of Long Beach's Cambodian population escaped from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime that left about 2 million dead between 1975 and 1979. Virtually all of those survivors witnessed and suffered through unimaginable atrocities. They carry invisible scars and struggle with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

And their children have borne trauma passed on from parents. They experience symptoms that can range from extreme anxiety to emotional numbness, from violence to withdrawal, from hyper-arousal and activity to clinical depression.

"My parents gambled and drank," Em said. "I just thought they were being crazy Asians."

Em has since learned that her family displays many classic symptoms of PTSD.

At 92, she's still haunted by Khmer Rouge atrocities in Cambodia

LONG BEACH, CALIF. USA -- Sath Om Photo by Jeff Gritchen / Press-Telegram (Jeff Gritchen)

April 22, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH -- The face of Sath Om reveals even more than her chilling words. The pain seems so immediate and real, it is as if time has stopped. 

"It's still real," the 92-year-old survivor of the Cambodian genocide says through translation as the tears flow. "It's like a stick in your eyes when it's remembered."

Om has harrowing stories of life during the brutal reign of the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979 when upward of 2 million Cambodians died from malnutrition, disease and murder in the country's notorious Killing Fields.

Om was burned out of her house and had to run for her life.

She was imprisoned for a time.

Killing Fields' legacy

Sath Om, top left, Arun Va, top right, Roth Prum, bottom left, and Sam Keo. (Jeff Gritchen / Press-Telegram)

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA -- Depressions in the ground show the locations of mass graves at Choeung Ek, about 17km south of Phonom Penh, Cambodia. The site, now a memorial, is the best-known of the sites known as The Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge regime executed about 17,000 people between 1975 and 1979. Mass graves containing 8,895 bodies were discovered at Choeung Ek after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. Many of the dead were former political prisoners who were kept by the Khmer Rouge in their Tuol Sleng detention center. (Jeff Gritchen / Staff Photographer)

April 22, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - The pain stitches across the face of 91-year-old Sath Um as she recalls the horrors she witnessed and her brushes with death.

Roth Prum fingers the leaves of a small plant she holds as she talks about how "I became the cow" when relating her work pulling a plow through rice fields.

Arun Va says his memory is burned with the faces of five women he watched have their throats slit and bodies weighed down with rocks and sunk near the Tonle Sap lake.

"That one thing is in my eye all the time," Va says.

For years, Sam Keo was wracked by survivor guilt and shame for not sharing food with a sibling who died from starvation.

"I would wake up every night sweating," Keo says.

If one walks through the Cambodia Town area of Long Beach and spots an elder, the chances are they have similar stories. They have witnessed and were subjected to horrors that are incomprehensible to most Americans.

ARUN VA: Narrow escape from becoming a killer

Arun Va (Jeff Gritchen / Staff Photographer)

April 22, 2012
Long Beach Press Telegram

He can still see their scared eyes in the flicker of a lantern during an ink black Cambodian night more than 35 years later. The eyes belonged to four women who wouldn't live through the night. By the next day their throats would be slit, their bodies weighted with rocks and submerged in the Tonle Sap lake.

Arun Va was a young man at the time and recruited by a Khmer Rouge cadre leader to accompany him and four women to travel to the lake.

Today he almost shudders when he realized how narrowly he escaped becoming a killer.

After Va had been ordered to gather rocks - for what purpose he didn't know, and knew better than to ask - he remembers being stunned when "Captain asked me, `Can you kill people?"' Va recalls.

"You were expected to do it for Angka (the Cambodian state rulership)," Va said.

Va couldn't answer, and the captain did not press the subject.

ROTH PRUM: Genocide's horrors still haunt dreams

Roth Prum (Jeff Gritchen / Staff Photographer)

April 22, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - For many refugees of the Cambodian genocide, the horrors didn't end when the shooting stopped. Nor did they end when the immigrants came to the United States in search of new lives. To this day, the conflicts pursue them.

"I still have dreams of someone shooting at me," says Roth Prum, as she rubs the leaves of a small plant between her fingers. "I scream until I wake myself up. I never have good dreams, only bad dreams."

Even 31 years after arriving in the United States, Prum expects she will always be affected by the 44 months of brutality she suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and the hard times that followed.

Although Prum meets with counselors, takes medication and is active in her church, she struggles daily with the memories, the dreams, the anxiety.

SAM KEO: Soul-searching helps win battle in mind

Sam Keo (Jeff Gritchen / Staff Photographer)

April 22, 2012
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - Day or night Sam Keo would be visited by his late mother and dead baby brother. He would stare into her reproachful eyes, see the baby's wasted corpse. And he'd hear her words.

"If you had given him your portion, he would still be alive," she said.

Problem is, it was more than 15 years since Keo's brother had died at the age of 3 from malnutrition and eight years since his mom had died of ovarian cancer. And yet there they were in Keo's Long Beach home, the mother's reproach as bitter and harsh and real as the day she first uttered it.

That is how Keo's battle with post-traumatic stress disorder started. Now Keo, a licensed clinical psychologist with the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, is able to discuss his struggles. But it took years of therapy, medication and soul-searching.