Ep 17. Terror In Little Saigon

In season 33, episode 17 of Frontline titled "Terror in Little Saigon," the show delves into the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the impact it had on Vietnamese refugees who settled in Little Saigon, a community located in Orange County, California. The episode follows the story of a Vietnamese-American journalist named Nguyen Qui Duc, who receives death threats from a radical anti-communist group, calling themselves the Front of the Liberation of Oppressed Races (FLOR).

In the early 1980s, Little Saigon was a place where many Vietnamese refugees had settled to start a new life. However, tensions were brewing among the community, as many were still grappling with the trauma of the war and its aftermath. Some saw themselves as anti-communist crusaders and were willing to use violence to silence anyone who disagreed with them. Duc was one such person.

As a journalist, Duc had been critical of the anti-communist movement in Little Saigon. He believed that the community should move on from the traumas of the past and focus on building a better future. However, this put him at odds with groups like FLOR, who saw him as a traitor and a communist sympathizer.

Over the course of the episode, Frontline investigates the history of FLOR and how it came to be. The group's leaders were once members of the Viet Cong, the communist army that fought against the South Vietnamese and their allies during the war. When they fled Vietnam, they settled in Little Saigon and continued their fight against communism, this time targeting anyone who they believed was sympathetic to the communist cause.

Frontline interviews former members of FLOR, who describe how the group would intimidate and threaten individuals they believed were communist sympathizers. They also reveal how the group was able to obtain weapons, including grenades and AK-47s, and train in guerrilla warfare tactics.

The episode also explores the broader political context of the anti-communist movement in Little Saigon. Frontline interviews Peter Schey, a lawyer who represented Duc and others who were targeted by anti-communist groups. Schey explains how the movement had become a powerful force in Orange County politics and how elected officials were reluctant to criticize them for fear of losing their support.

As the threats against Duc escalate, Frontline follows him to Vietnam, where he visits the sites of key battles in the war. There, he reflects on the trauma of the war and how it continues to shape the lives of those who lived through it.

The episode ends on a hopeful note, as Duc returns to Little Saigon and continues his work as a journalist. He is heartened to see that the community is changing and that younger generations are less interested in the anti-communist crusade. However, he recognizes that the legacy of the war will continue to shape the community for years to come.

Overall, "Terror in Little Saigon" is a powerful and nuanced exploration of a little-known chapter in American history. Through the story of Nguyen Qui Duc and FLOR, the episode sheds light on the complexities of the Vietnamese-American experience and the challenges that come with moving on from a traumatic past.