Lam Asks Court to Bar Protesters

Westminster Councilman Tony Lam has filed a lawsuit to stop demonstrators from picketing outside his Garden Grove restaurant.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Orange County Superior Court, asks for a temporary restraining order barring protesters from the property he leases on Westminster Avenue.

Protesters have criticized Lam for remaining silent during the weeks of demonstrations over a Little Saigon merchant’s display of the Communist Vietnamese flag and picture of late Communist leader Ho Chi Minh at his video store. They also have launched an effort to recall Lam from office.

Lam’s suit claims the demonstrators, who have camped outside his Vien Dong restaurant since March 12, have threatened, spat upon and even urinated on his patrons.

It seeks monetary damages against protest leader Ky Ngo as well as other unnamed demonstrators for allegedly costing him business and causing him emotional distress.

The lawsuit also names Lam’s landlord, Xuan Dang, as a defendant, saying he failed to take action to stop the protesters from entering the restaurant property.

Ngo said Friday he has every right to voice his criticism of Lam and accused the councilman of trying to use the court to silence his political critics. Ngo denied accosting Lam’s customers, although he said he has seen other protesters do so.

“I’ll protest until he resigns or until we recall him,” Ngo said. “I can stay there one year or two years. That’s what I want to do. No one can stop me.”