Freedom rights play tug-of-war

editorial cartoon by Natalie Fowle
editorial cartoon by Natalie Fowle

Good old America … “Land of the free, home of the brave.” Many emigrate here to have freedom escaping the often-strict regime of their own countries.

Truong Van Tran, a 37-year-old Westminister store owner, had freedom in mind when he displayed the communist flag and picture of Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese communist leader, at his Hitek TV and VCR store in an area known as Little Saigon. Tran’s freedom of expression quickly drew attention from anti-communist Vietnamese-Americans, who also chose to exercise their right to assemble peacefully by expressing their anger toward Tran for his display. Both parties were exercising their First Amendment rights, however, with that in mind, is it not also a freedom of choice to look the other way or choose not to look at all?

The protest in front of the store is still escalating. Police are attempting to keep demonstrators from getting violent; however, there have already been two instances in which they got violent. A protester hit Tran on the head and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment, and a few days later, an innocent person, mistaken for Tran, was attacked by a group of protesters as well.

It is understandable that many Vietnamese-Americans still have very strong feelings toward the Vietnam War that ended in 1975. The flag and picture of Ho Chi Minh, for many, is still a symbol of the communist regime, and it generates a lot of negativity and hatred.

Protesters stomped on Ho Chi Minh’s picture and waved the South Vietnamese flag to take out their anger as they gathered in front of the store.

This grand display of people, grieving for the misfortunes of their country, draw sympathy, especially the way television news covers it with victims of war displaying their scars, making one sympathize with the protesters, yet stepping back from that scene, one must realize that we are in America, and we do have choices.

The right to put up symbols of communism is not restricted. As long as a view, belief or practice does not inflict physical harm to others, it is perfectly legal.

Both parties have the right, under the Constitution, to voice their opinion and no one will stop them, but it is understandable why people get so emotional over this issue. Almost all of the protesters have had some type of influence because of the war. What is hard to understand is why these people do not just walk away, boycott the store by taking their business elsewhere and distribute educational pamphlets to inform the public of “their side of the story.” They will be more effective in reaching the public through constructive methods.

People are comparing this incident as being the same as placing a picture of Adolf Hitler in a Jewish community. If that also happened, it would still be protected as an expression of free speech. There are numerous symbols throughout history that upset or insult certain groups of people, and there is nothing that can be done to prevent these symbols from surfacing, because as soon as limits are placed on freedom, this country will not be any better than countries such as Vietnam.

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Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

Natalie Fowle, Photography Editor
Natalie Fowle

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