West OC Times

For the second time in two months, Los Angeles officials have praised figures associated with the Communist takeover of Vietnam, leading to a devastating war and numerous casualties.

The latest instance involves incoming Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who recently described North Vietnamese Communist dictator Ho Chi Minh as a hero for human rights in a May 19 Instagram post. In April, the County Board of Supervisors declared a holiday for “Hanoi” Jane Fonda.

Senator Janet Nguyen, who fled South Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon, has requested Harris-Dawson rescind his positive comments about Ho Chi Minh due to the dictator's policies that suppressed human rights and caused significant suffering.

In his post, Harris-Dawson asserted that Ho Chi Minh “campaign[ed] against oppression” and commended him for advocating peace without outside intervention while millions of South Vietnamese were affected during the takeover. This conflict drew America into a prolonged 20-year war.

Harris-Dawson’s remarks follow closely on the heels of Fonda Day being declared on April 30, coinciding with the fall of Saigon to North Vietnam. Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath initiated this honor but agreed to change the date after Senator Nguyen pressured her over Fonda’s pro-Communist actions during the war.

“I just don’t get it – two high-profile Los Angeles elected officials praise Communist figures who aided in the slaughter of both American and Vietnamese people,” Senator Janet Nguyen said. “Apparently Mr. Harris-Dawson didn’t learn anything when the county was blasted in national news over Jane Fonda. He needs a history lesson.”

During the Vietnam War, more than 3 million Americans were deployed to Asia, resulting in 58,220 casualties and 2,338 missing in action. South Vietnam lost approximately 250,000 soldiers.