At the memorial service for US peace activist Merle Evelyn Ratner. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on February 16 held a memorial service in Hà Nội for US peace activist Merle Evelyn Ratner, a close friend of Việt Nam, who was killed in a traffic accident earlier this month.

The event was connected to the US and was attended by representatives from Vietnamese ministries, agencies and organisations, and the activist’s friends.

Ratner was killed by a tow truck in the East Village while crossing the street near her house in New York on February 5.

Born in 1956, she had a special love for Việt Nam. She took to the streets to protest against the war with the US when she was 13 years old and became famous for hanging anti-war slogans on the Statue of Liberty. She was a co-founder and coordinator of the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC) in the New York area.

Ratner actively participated in protests against the US war in Việt Nam since the late 1960s, the anti-imperialism movement in the 1970s and 1980s, and anti-racism campaigns in America today.

After 1975, with a deep love for Việt Nam, Ratner campaigned for the normalisation of the Việt Nam-US relations and supported Việt Nam’s international activities. She visited Việt Nam many times and engaged in joint work with mass organisations, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics.

Ratner was awarded the "For the Development of Vietnamese Women" insignia in 2010 and the “For Vietnam Agent Orange Victims” insignia in 2013.

VUFO President Phan Anh Sơn expressed his sadness over her death and recalled her activities in support of Việt Nam, saying she will be remembered forever by generations of Vietnamese.

He called Ratner a symbol of international solidarity and support for Vietnamese people during movements against the US war in the Southeast Asian nation.

Sơn said after the war ended, Ratner further supported Vietnamese people in national reconstruction, highlighting her efforts to push for the normalisation of Việt Nam-US relations and the removal of the US embargo on the country.

As the VAORRC co-founder, she made tireless efforts to garner support for Vietnamese AO victims to ease their difficulties and seek justice for them, he continued.

Sơn also stressed Ratner’s support for the VUFO and its member organisations in organising peace, solidarity and friendship activities with left-wing friends and the Communist Party of the US. — VNS