Press Release

For Immediate Release Contact: January 11, 2007 Doua Thor, SEARAC, 202/667-4690, doua@searac.org Leonie Campbell, AAJC, 202/296-2300 ext. 135, lcampbell@advancingequality.org Srida Moua, HND, 202/463-2118, smoua@hndinc.org

National Asian American Organizations Urge Thorough Investigation into the Murder of Cha Vang in Wisconsin

Washington, D.C. – The tragic killing of Cha Vang in Peshtigo, Wisconsin last weekend drew alarm from Asian American communities across the country. The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND) and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), are leading the call for a full investigation into the causes behind Mr. Vang’s death.

“We call on law enforcement officials to investigate this case as a possible hate crime,” said Vincent A. Eng, deputy director of AAJC, an organization that promotes human and civil rights for Asian Americans nationwide. “If this incident was motivated by racial hatred, we urge authorities to fully prosecute this killing under all applicable Wisconsin hate crime statutes.”

Sky Savail-Hotrich, interim chief executive officer of HND, which represents Hmong Americans nationally, offered condolences to the victim’s family, while pledging to work with local community members to “ensure that further tragedies such as these are prevented.”

As executive director of SEARAC, a national organization representing the interests of Southeast Asian Americans, Doua Thor emphasized that understanding the nature of this crime is of the utmost importance. “Crimes like these can all too easily replicate themselves,” she said. “It is in everyone’s best interest to see that something like this does not happen again.”

AAJC, HND and SEARAC pledge to continue monitoring the ongoing investigation of this crime through media reports, along with regular contact with local community leaders and members, as well as local law enforcement officials. AAJC, HND and SEARAC respectfully ask the media to honor the privacy of Mr. Vang’s family during this most difficult time.

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Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (www.searac.org) is a national organization advancing the interests of Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese Americans through leadership development, capacity building, and community empowerment. SEARAC serves as a coalition-builder and leader, carrying out action-oriented research projects, and strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations such as mutual assistance associations (MAAs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs). SEARAC also fosters civic engagement among Southeast Asian Americans, and represents our communities at the national level in Washington, DC.

The Asian American Justice Center (www.advancingequality.org), formerly known as NAPALC, is a national organization dedicated to defending and advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans. It works closely with three affiliates – the Asian American Institute of Chicago (www.aaichicago.org), the Asian Law Caucus (www.asianlawcaucus.org) in San Francisco, and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (www.apalc.org) in Los Angeles – and 102 community partners in 47 cities and 24 states in the country. AAJC chairs the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition.

Hmong National Development, Inc. (www.hndinc.org) is a national, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to build capacity, develop leadership and empower the Hmong American community. HND envisions a vibrant Hmong American community leading in educational achievement, economic development, civic and cultural engagement and social justice.