Barón, Mosqueda lead Council recognition of horrific Khmer Genocide

April 15, 2025

The King County Council on Tuesday recognized the 50^th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge Genocide, honored the memory of the millions of Cambodian people killed, survived, and displaced as a result of war and genocide.

Between 1975 and 1979, it’s estimated that between 1.5 and 2 million people – nearly 25% of Cambodia’s population at the time – were killed under the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge. As the government moved to convert the nation to an agrarian socialist republic, it marched Cambodians out of cities to forced labor camps where they endured torture, abuse, malnutrition and mass executions.

Today, elders and community leaders continue to work to rebuild the historical and cultural identity of the Khmer and Cambodian people. On this 50^th anniversary, the community will come together to remember the atrocities and to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by the community. 

“For many immigrant and refugee communities, the stories of hardship, pain, and struggle are intertwined with those of hope, perseverance, and strength of community,” said King County Councilmember Jorge L. Barón, who co-sponsored the recognition. “King County is made stronger and more united by the rich experiences of the cultural communities that call this area home. I am deeply grateful to the Cambodian and Cambodian American community for the privilege of bringing recognition of this significant anniversary to the King County Council.”

King County has been home to Khmer people for more than four decades, with over 20,000 people of Khmer descent living in the region today. Persevering through the stress and intergenerational trauma of their shared history, King County’s Khmer people have created organizations, schools and community centers that help them rebuild their lives, regain their cultural identity and advocate for better protection of immigrant communities.

“King County has the 3rd highest concentration of Khmer people in the US. We are fortunate to have Cambodian multi-generational community leaders and elders from across Washington State that work together to reclaim cultural cornerstones nearly exterminated by the Khmer Rouge genocide and uplift their communities through education, cultural empowerment, and resiliency,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. “I am grateful to the Khmer community who enrich our county’s culture through their own, and it is an honor to recognize this tragic anniversary; acknowledging that we must learn from the past if we hope to avoid repeating it.”

“We welcome and appreciate the Cambodian community in District 5 as our neighbors and friends,” said King County Councilmember De’Sean Quinn. “Recognizing the Cambodian experience helps us weave our diversity of experiences together. By understanding history, we can ensure we value each other’s unique lives and prevent harm going forward.”

“The 50th anniversary of the Khmer Genocide is a poignant reminder of our past-- a time to honor those we lost and acknowledge the enduring impact on Cambodian American families across generations,” said Sambath Eat, executive director of the Cambodian American Community Council of Washington. “We carry this history not as a burden, but as a call to persevere. From survival to renewal, our community thrives—rooted in resilience, guided by hope, and proud to contribute to a stronger, more compassionate society.”

You can find the full recognition here.