Hmong-Americans Rally at Sacramento Federal Courthouse

Miss Hmong International 2010 Ruby Her gathers
signatures for a proclamation honoring Va Ming

A large spirited group of Hmong-Americans rallied late this morning at the steps of the Federal Court in Downtown Sacrament to honor a local activist who had helped the late General Vang Pao when he was indicted by the Federal Government.

A group of approximately 1,000 people cheered as numerous speakers honored local Hmong-American activist Va Ming. Many people in attendance noted the help Ming offered to General Vang who was indicted on charges of attempting to plot the overthrow of the Laotian government. 

The charges against Vang were dropped in 2009. Vang passed away earlier this year.

Vang had been recruited by the CIA during the Vietnam War era to fight Laotian Communist in the so-called "Secret War." After Hmong's were granted exile in the United States following the fall of Laos in 1975, Vang became the de facto leader of the Hmong community with many referring to him as their George Washington.

One person in attending the rally was Ruby Her who said Ming was instrumental in getting charges against Vang dropped  in 2009. Honored as Miss Hmong International 2010, Her was also collecting signatures to a certificate to be presented to Ming. 

"He [Ming] worked very hard for to get charges dropped against the General, " Her said.

In addition to honoring Ming and Vang, some of the speakers rallied the crowd, many of whom were dressed in traditional Hmong clothing, to urge intervention on the continued persecution of ethnic Hmongs by the Communist ruled Laos government.