La Voz

De Anza College students arriving for class on Feb. 21 were greeted by a small, silent but colorful demonstration against the visit of Ton-Nu-Thi Ninh, Ambassador for the National Assembly of Vietnam.

The small group of Vietnamese- Americans came from all areas of the Bay Area to hold anticommunist signs and talk with curious students as they walked passed the multicultural studies classroom.

"We want to wake up the students," said Tom Nugyen. "Students don't accept what they're doing in Vietnam."

Nugyen helped organize the group of approximately 20 community members from seven Vietnamese community, religious and political organizations.

"We don't want communists coming here telling lies," said Patrick Phu Le. "They oppress out people and we don't want them coming her saying they don't."

The silent, almost tranquil scene of protesters abruptly changed as Ninh exited the classroom and was escorted to a waiting car by college administrators and district police who were used to hold back the now vocal and charging mob.

"V.C. out now!" they shouted as Ninh's car drove away.

Asif Ahmed contributed to this article

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