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Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Life in California's Refugee Camps after the Fall of Saigon

Today, refugee camps are part of the story in the Middle East and Africa. Forty years ago, they were part of reality in Southern California. In the immediate aftermath of a lost war, America provided refuge for people fleeing from victorious North Vietnam. KCRW's Saul Gonzalez has that story.

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By Warren Olney • Apr 22, 2015 • 12m Listen

Today, refugee camps are part of the story in the Middle East and Africa. Forty years ago, they were part of reality in Southern California. In the immediate aftermath of a lost war, America provided refuge for people fleeing from victorious North Vietnam. KCRW's Saul Gonzalez has that story.

At its peak in 1975, nearly 20,000 refugees were at Camp Pendleton in eight locations

Photo: Camp Pendleton Archives

Women washing their clothes at a Camp Pendleton refugee camp

Photo: Camp Pendleton Archives

What remains of Camp One refugee site at Camp Pendleton

Photo: Saul Gonzalez

WWLA blog.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Saul Gonzalez

    Reporter

    News
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