The recent commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon by Vietnamese Americans highlights their impactful narrative in shaping downtown San Jose. This annual event, known as Black April, brings together many descendants and former refugees. The area surrounding City Hall was once a crime-ridden zone before Vietnamese refugees opened various businesses, transforming the neighborhood. Historic references to past stories by journalists reveal the pioneering spirit of these refugees, embedding their cultural and entrepreneurial legacy into the fabric of San Jose's history.
"No, what struck me was that in the wasteland called downtown, I can now get a croissant, sandwich, or suit-all from Vietnamese businesses" - Jonathan Marshall.
"As a traveler of both time and space, I could not separate the Black April event at City Hall from the Vietnamese businesses that used to exist along this stretch of road."
"Many Vietnamese Americans filled the San Jose City Hall Rotunda to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon in 1975, an annual gathering now called Black April."
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