On Thursday March 31st 2016 Cambodian Government spokesman Phay Siphan made an insulting, sexist, racist, petty, and undiplomatic remark towards our DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Lowell City Councillor Rita Mercier in a statement reported in the Phnom Penh Post. The statement was, “That white girl has no capacity to live with diverse people . . . she’s prejudiced.”. Rita Mercier is not prejudiced and works across boundaries to address problems in Lowell. Councillor Mercier is standing with the community. This is another reason she has for years received the most votes out of everyone on the ballot for Lowell City Council. We respectfully ask our elected officials to pressure the Cambodian government to respond with an apology for the blatant disrespect of our City official by Co-authoring a letter requesting the Government of Cambodia to apologize for their offensive remarks. In an open and free society criticism is expected, but not disrespect.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/capitals-us-sister-city-denounces-hun-manets-visit