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Item No: 2.18
DRAFT – Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JOSE RECOGNIZING THE HERITAGE AND FREEDOM
FLAG OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (THE YELLOW
FLAG WITH THREE RED STRIPES) IN THE DIGITAL
WORLD
WHEREAS, the City of San José values diversity, inclusivity, and the representation of its many vibrant communities, including the Vietnamese-American population, that plays a vital role in shaping the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the City; and WHEREAS, the Vietnamese-American community in San José and around the world deeply cherishes the heritage, culture, and history of Vietnam, particularly as it relates to the symbols of freedom, democracy, and the pursuit of human rights; and WHEREAS, the flag used by many members of Vietnamese diaspora, including those who fled Vietnam during and after the fall of Saigon is the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes most referred to as the “Flag of the Republic of Vietnam”. This flag was officially recognized in 1956 and is a symbol of the former Republic of Vietnam and a banner of hope, freedom, and democracy for millions of Vietnamese refugees; and WHEREAS, the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes has become an important symbol of resilience and remembrance for Vietnamese communities worldwide, particularly for those who experienced hardship and displacement due to the Vietnam War, including more recent generations that continue to honor the history of those struggles; and WHEREAS, with the adoption of Resolution No. 72679 on May 17, 2005, and the adoption of Resolution No. 78064 on January 24, 2017, the City Council officially recognized the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag as the flag of the Vietnamese- NVF:NXN:JMD
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Item No: 2.18
DRAFT – Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
American community thereby reaffirming its commitment to the residents of San José; and
WHEREAS, the flag currently used to represent Vietnam on digital platforms, known commonly as the “Vietnamese Flag Emoji”, represents the flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which was adopted in 1976 under communist rule; and WHEREAS, the current Vietnamese Flag emoji does not fully reflect the history or the values of the Vietnamese-American community in San José and Nationwide, who continue to seek recognition for their own cultural and historical symbols, including the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes; and
WHEREAS, as emojis have become a key form of communication in the digital age, it is important that the emoji representation of national and cultural symbols reflect the diversity of experiences and identities of communities, particularly those who have faced displacement, exile, and the pursuit of freedom; and WHEREAS, the City of San José recognizes the importance of advancing inclusivity in all forms of public representation, and supporting the recognition and respect of cultural symbols that are significant to our diverse communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE:
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL calls upon the Unicode Consortium, the organization responsible for the development and maintenance of emoji standards, to consider the addition of the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes as an official Vietnamese Flag emoji, in order to honor the entire history, experiences, and aspirations of Vietnamese- Americans and Vietnamese people worldwide; and
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Item No: 2.18
DRAFT – Contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1260 or [email protected] for final document.
THAT THE CITY OF SAN JOSE calls upon social media companies, messaging platforms, and other digital communication providers to support this change by integrating the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes as a recognized emoji option, thereby helping to promote inclusivity and respect for the cultural symbols important to the Vietnamese diaspora; and
THAT THE CITY OF SAN JOSE, through its commitment to diversity and inclusion, will continue to advocate for the recognition and preservation of cultural symbols that reflect the rich history and experiences of our communities; and THAT THE CITY CLERK be and is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Unicode Consortium, the San José Vietnamese-American community leaders, and any other relevant stakeholders in support of this important cause. //
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ADOPTED this ____ day of _________, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
MATT MAHAN
Mayor
ATTEST:
TONI J. TABER, MMC
City Clerk