CALIFORNIA, AUG 19 (DNA) – About 100 people gathered outside Milpitas City Hall for a flag ceremony to celebrate Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day on Monday.

The event was organized by the Milpitas-based Pakistani American Culture Center during which national anthems of both Pakistan and United States were sung, followed by welcome speeches of organizers and local politicians.

Live music and Pakistani cuisine were also served.

The program also included a speech by Pakistani motorcyclist Moin Khan, who in 2011, embarked on a motorcycle ride that took him 25,000 miles from San Francisco to Lahore while Vice Mayor Marsha Grilli also shared her thoughts.

“I wanted the other council members to stand up here to show that as a council and as a community we are here to support our residents and the families that are here,” Grilli said. “One of the things that strikes me every time I attend this event is to see the families and children off in the distance there playing and I am reminded of how important this event is and we want to be able to congratulate you on your independence day and stand with you to remind you that we are all one, we are all in this community.”

County Supervisor Dave Cortese and Assemblyman Kansen Chu also spoke about the contributions of Pakistani Americans to the country and to Santa Clara County.

According to the culture center, up to 40,000 Pakistani Americans live in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, having come into the country in waves over the years.=DNA

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