This past weekend, Khmerica published a 15-page Info & Action Kit along with a press release, aimed at inspiring Khmer American student organizations, religious institutions, and community leaders to plan events for the 50th anniversary of the Cambodian genocide on April 17, 2025. Our goal? To honor the victims and survivors while bringing global awareness to this pivotal moment in history.

As I worked on these materials, I found myself reflecting on my own experiences commemorating this day—25 years' worth of moments, memories, and milestones. So, let’s take a little trip down memory lane!

One of my most unforgettable April 17ths was in 2000. That spring, just weeks before the 25th anniversary, author Loung Ung visited Seattle as a speaker for Human Rights Day. She was advocating for a landmine ban and promoting her now-famous book, First They Killed My Father. A few of us from the Khmer Student Association (KhSA UW) at the University of Washington, including my classmate Lianna Ly, attended the event. I’ll never forget Loung's words—reminding us that 2000 marked 25 years since the genocide.

That night, still inspired by Ung’s speech, Lianna and I couldn’t sleep. We hopped on AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and brainstormed ways to take action. By sunrise, we had decided: we would organize a candlelight vigil at Red Square and rally Khmer students and the local community to join.

What happened next was beyond anything we imagined. We shared our plans with bong Loung, and soon after, the Seattle Times featured us on the front page. Even ABC Nightline showed up to interview us at the Four Seasons Hotel! (You can check out that special at the link below.)

Fast forward 13 years to 2013, and I found myself involved in another April 17th event—this time in New York. With Khmerican just 18 months old, we teamed up with a Brooklyn-based production agency, Vanderbilt Republic, to organize a month-long series of events called The Forward Festival. On April 17th, we hosted a Day of Remembrance at Gowanus Loft, bringing together guest speakers, Buddhist monks, and the community to share stories and reflections.

By 2015, for the 40th anniversary, I was honored to be invited by the Khmer Culture Association of the University of Massachusetts - Boston to guest speak at a community event in Lowell, home to one of the largest Khmer American populations.

And now? It’s the 50th anniversary. Under a new affiliation, I’m looking for opportunities to return to the U.S. to continue this important work. If your student organization, community, or institution is planning an event and would like to collaborate, let’s connect. Let’s make this a year to remember.

#remember417