LYNNWOOD—The Refugee and Immigrant Services NW held its second annual World Refugee Day on Thursday, June 20, at Edmonds College featuring guest speakers, multicultural performances, and an assortment of delicious foods representing the various cultures that make up Snohomish County’s diverse population.
The event was emceed by Betty Koteles, Edmond College’s Latino Outreach Specialist, and sponsored by Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest. It was held in the college’s Woodway Hall, Room 202, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Van Dinh-Kuno, Executive Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services, commenced the event by sharing her story of fleeing her war-torn country of Vietnam when she was just a teenager.
After being stranded in the Pacific Ocean for 11 days without food Van Dinh-Kuno and her family were rescued by the United States military who safely transported her to the Philippines. After a brief stay in Guam Dinh-Kuno first arrived in the United States by way of Minnesota before settling in Snohomish County in 1985 where she secured a job as a biochemist.
The Lynnwood Times recognized Dinh-Kuno’s history and tireless efforts to assist refugees within Snohomish County—particularly Afghan refugees who fled their country after President Biden withdrew all U.S. troops in 2021, and Ukrainian refugees displaced by Russia’s invasion—by honoring her with the Person of the Year Award in 2022.
“To all refugees, you should not give up hope. We welcome you in Snohomish County,” said Dinh-Kuno. “This is the best place to live, to work, to obtain your education, and raise your children. I have received a warm welcome from this country 49 years ago and the welcoming has not diminished at all after 49 years.”
Following Dinh-Kuno, Vice President of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Edmonds College, Dr. Yvonne Terell-Powell, took the podium to declare that Edmonds College “stands in solidarity with the refugees here and worldwide.”
“Today, serves as a crucial reminder of the hardships, persecution, and sacrifice of millions and millions of refugees as well as their zillions fortitude, radical moment, and courage. It also serves as a reminder that each one of us must continue to advocate and work together for their protection, well-being, and human rights,” said Dr. Terell-Powell.
Edmonds College President, Dr. Amit Singh was unable to attend Thursday’s event but shared a few words, none-the-less, in a prerecorded message.
Senator Marko Liias took the podium to commend Washington State legislature, and Governor Jay Inslee, for doing their part to ensure every Washingtonian has access to food, housing, to healthcare, so that “everyone can start a great life in Washington State.”
Sen. Liias then read a Snohomish County proclamation, signed by County Executive Dave Somers, recognizing June 20 as World Refugee Day across Snohomish County.
“The state of Washington is your partner and Snohomish County is your partner,” said Sen. Liias.
Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell followed Sen. Liias to remind the audience that Lynnwood is the most diverse city in Snohomish County even going as far to embrace that diversity by flying a flag that reads “All Are Welcome” outside City Hall.
“It is intention,” Mayor Frizzell continued. “We want to be intentional because without intentionality it’s just words on a page.”
Lynnwood Mayor closed her remarks by reading a Lynnwood proclamation, signed by her and Council President George Hurst, recognizing June 20, 2024, as World Refugee Day at the municipal level.
Lynnwood City Council President George Hurst also spoke at Thursday’s event reflecting on words by Eleanor Roosevelt, George Washington, and the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty—The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus—that reads:
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
“We need to realize that refugees that come to America need to be welcomed, need to be honored, need to be supported,” said Council President Hurst. “It’s important to recognize World Refugee Day.”
Also from the Lynnwood City Council, Vice President Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby shared a few words.
“Together, we can create a world where every individual, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrice in peace and security,” said Dr. Altamirano-Crosby. “As we celebrate this day, our aim is to foster a sense of unity and understanding within our community. We come together not only to acknowledge the hardships faced by refugees but also to celebrate their contributions, their culture, and their spirit.”
Other speakers at Thursday’s event included Edmonds City Council President Vivian Olsen, Executive Director of the Lynnwood Food Bank Alissa E. Jones, Snohomish County Council member Megan Dunn, Mukilteo councilman Jason Moon, and keynote speaker Vitalii Shvets.
“Our nation thrives when we embrace diversity. Immigrants bring fresh perspectives, enrish our culture, and contribute to our economy. Let us reject divisive rhetoric and recognize that immigrants are not other,” Mukilteo Councilman Jason Moon, who was unable to attend in-person, issued in a written statement. “They are our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. By standing together, we build a stronger, more compassionate society.”
Moon, a proud Korean American, shared that his grandparents served in the Korean War – a conflict that tore families apart and displaced countless lives. Their sacrifices, Moon continued, reminds him that freedom and safety are not guaranteed – they are hard-fought privileges.
Performances were interwoven in between guest speakers including a traditional Lion Dance by Mak Fai Kung Fu Club, Shanilla Thomas singing the popular contemporary Hindi/Arabic song Guli Mata, a fashion show by Vietnamese Community of Snohomish County, dance performances by Kukkun Nemins (which means “little girls” in Chuukese), dances by Marshallese women’s group Lijelbub, an Aztec dance by Yolihuani (which means “fountain of life”), a dance performance by Folclor Oazaqueño, the Afghan Children’s Group of Snohomish County singing the Afghan National anthem, and finally a classical Indian dance performance by Kathal Akruti School.
The food being served represented diverse nationalities and cultures including tamales from Mexico, kebabs from Afghanistan, dumplings from Ukraine and Micronesia, chicken wings from China, egg rolls from Vietnam, coconut bars from Cambodia, and tropical drinks representing Southeast Asia.
About World Refugee Day
Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution, or terror, fleeing their country as refugees for a new fresh somewhere else.
The United Nations defined a refugee at its 1951 Refugee Convention as “someone who fled his or her home and country owing to a well-founded fear of persecution because his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.”
World Refugee Day was first celebrated on June 20, 2001, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that 1951 convention, which also established a series of safeguards and allowed for refugees to have rights in a country for asylum without persecution for their home country.
The United States, along with several other nations, agreed to not forcibly repatriate individuals who are being persecuted at this time initiating an avenue for permanent protection called refugee resettlement.
At the end of 2022 more than 100 million people had been displaced breaking a record, according to the United Nations High Commissioner.
World Refugee Day is observed every year on June 20 to celebrate and honor refugees from around the world. It is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Since October of 2021, Snohomish County, in partnership with Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest, Volunteers of America Western Washington and other community partners, has built a coordinated service delivery approach to help integrate more than 5,500 refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, Syria, Haiti, Venezuela, Russia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, and other nations.
“For decades, Snohomish County has been a welcoming home for families fleeing conflict zones and repression. As a nation founded by immigrants and refugees and as a caring community, we will continue to do all we can to help these new neighbors access needed services and supports in our country,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers.
The county and its partners have collaborated to provide these new community members with housing, language and employment support, connections with community supports and benefits, and assistance with the immigration process.
Every year hundreds of children living in refugee households are enrolled in Snohomish County schools.
As of 2023 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that 117 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disrupting public order resulting in the worst refugee crises in human history.
Since 1975, three million refugees have resettled in the United States, including approximately 60,000 in 2023. These refugees have built new lives across the country and have woven themselves into the fabric of American society, the Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest said.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
