Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Denouncing the Deplorable Treatment of Ven. Thích Minh Tuệ Aka Lê Anh Tú.
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publichearing
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Council Member NamQuan Nguyen
Councilwoman Amy Phan West
Prepared by*: Christine Cordon, City Manager
*Staff reports prepared by staff on behalf of members of the City Council do not reflect the opinions of staff and are generated in collaboration with the requesting council member(s).
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider the request to denounce the deplorable treatment of Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ (Lê Anh Tú) by the Vietnamese Communist forces, and provide direction to adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DENOUNCING THE DEPLORABLE TREATMENT OF VEN. THICH MINH TUE AKA LE ANH TU, AND CONDEMNING THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST REGIME FOR SUPPRESSION OF THE PRESS.”
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BACKGROUND
This item was requested by Council Member NamQuan Nguyen (District 4) and seconded by Councilwoman Amy Phan West (District 1).
Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ (Lê Anh Tú) is a Buddhist monk who has walked pilgrimages across Vietnam barefoot. On his recent fourth pilgrimage, he developed a following along his travels, and these followers joined him as he visited local towns.
During this pilgrimage, approximately 300 Vietnamese Communist authorities arrested the pilgrimage travelers during an overnight raid, thereby halting Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ’s months-long journey.
Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ disappeared, and Vietnamese Communist authorities made vague comments regarding traffic control to mask their desire to disband the Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ and his devotees. He was eventually released, but the actions of the Vietnamese Communist authorities were suspicious and unacceptable.
While the Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ has continued on his pilgrimage, Vietnamese Communist authorities have banned YouTubers and other bloggers from livestreaming or filming Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ in the public, suppressing freedom of the press and the right to public information.
Therefore, Council Member Nguyen and Councilwoman Phan West are urging the City Council adopt a resolution, denouncing the deplorable treatment of Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ, and condemning the Vietnamese Communist regime for suppression of the press.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The Mayor and City Council are requested to adopt this resolution in support of Venerable Thích Minh Tuệ and the right to religious freedom, denouncing the deplorable treatment he endured. Furthermore, adoption of the resolution condemns the Vietnamese Communist regime of suppression of the press.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager