From Dave Jones...
Dear Friend:

As you know, I have been working closely with the Hmong community to address the humanitarian crisis the Hmong are facing in Southeast Asia. As allies to the United States during the Vietnam War, the Hmong in Laos became targets of retaliation and human rights violations after the war and continue to be so to this day.

Last August, I introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 36, the Hmong Human Rights Resolution, to urge the United States government to take various actions at the international level to help the Hmong in Laos and Thailand. In order to increase awareness of the issue, I hosted both a film screening of Rebecca Sommer's Hunted Like Animals in October and a legislative advocacy day, which included a rally and special hearing on AJR 36, in January.

For over thirty years, thousands of Hmong veterans and their families have been hiding in the jungles of Laos, suffering under disastrous circumstances. They face frequent military attacks, starvation, and disease and lack the basic necessities needed to live a normal life. Many Hmong also fled to Thailand where they live in refugee camps and now face forced deportation back to Laos, fearful of further persecution.

With great sadness and dismay, I am writing to inform you that there have been reports of worsening conditions in Laos and Thailand. Since January, over 70 deaths have been reported, mainly of women and children living in the jungle. Further, according to Human Rights Watch, forced repatriation to Laos has begun, as 11 Hmong were forcibly returned to Laos in late February.

In response to this tragic news, the Hmong of Northern California will rally on the North Steps of the State Capitol on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. I invite you to join me as we stand with the Hmong community and others to protest these human rights violations and to urge immediate action by the federal government.
Time: Monday, March 24, 2008 - 11:30am PST