HomeCambodian/ Khmer AmericanCambodia Town fundraisers raise more than $100,000 to rebuild damaged storefronts after...
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Cambodia Town fundraisers raise more than $100,000 to rebuild damaged storefronts after protests

Photo courtesy fu oscar

As the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd simmer down, local business owners are left picking up some of the pieces. With the help of community fundraisers, damaged storefronts from vandalism and looting will soon be repaired in Long Beach, CA.

The Cambodia Town Relief Fund and United Cambodian Community were posted on GoFundMe shortly after protests on May 31. Both fundraisers raised $100,384, reported Cambodia Town Relief Fund organizer Malyanne Bunma.

“The aftermath of the peaceful Long Beach Protest in support of Black Lives Matter took a volatile turn. There were many small businesses in Cambodia Town that were destroyed,” Bunma said on the GoFundMe page. “But we will stand together and rebuild our city. Property can be replaced, the lives lost due to police brutality cannot.”

Bunma reported the relief fund received donations from the Long Beach community and people across the country.

The Cambodia Town Relief Fund was opened on June 1. It raised more than $71,000 by June 15.

Bunma said checks are now being distributed to more than 30 local businesses, according to the GoFundMe page.

The small businesses in Cambodia Town were able to apply for funding by documenting their damages and were evaluated by their insurance coverage, if they had any.

“I want you all to know that the words from these business owners were filled with immense gratitude. It was so heartwarming to see these amazing folks get the support they need,” Bunma posted.

After the May 31 protests, Tharith Tan, owner of local business Phnom Pich Jewelry said, “We feel so angry and violated. I was shaking for like two days,” reported Long Beach Post.

Phnom Pich Jewelry happens to be one of the businesses that was granted support from the Cambodia Town Relief Fund weeks later. Sirena Lim, another owner of the Phnom Pich Jewelry, told Long Beach Post she and her husband debated moving to another city after the protests.

However, they decided to stay after the community showed immense support by cleaning the impact areas that included their family-owned business.

Lim was given $7,050 from the relief fund, reported Long Beach Post.

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