Hmong activist Vaming Xiong to be honored tonight

[Toumeng]

By Stephen Magagnini
smagagnini@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Jul. 23, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 2B

Hmong human rights activist Vaming Xiong – who rallied thousands of Hmong protesters in Sacramento and across the nation seeking freedom for Gen. Vang Pao and 11 other defendants accused of plotting the overthrow of Laos – will be honored tonight.

More than 600 guests – including Hmong from all clans and elected officials – are expected at "Honoring One, Honoring All: A Model for Generations." The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the King Palace Restaurant, 5829 Stockton Blvd.

Xiong organized massive demonstrations at the Sacramento Federal Building to protest the arrest of the so-called "Laotian 11" on terrorism charges, claiming they were the victims of entrapment. The U.S. government finally dropped the charges against all defendants.

Xiong never forgot the several thousand Hmong Vietnam War veterans and their families still trapped in the jungles of Laos, where they have been hunted by the Communists.

"Those people have been waiting for over 36 years for Vang Pao," Xiong told The Bee during one of the protests. "I remember when I was trapped in the jungle from 1975 to 1979, you think Vang Pao's still coming every time there's a plane overhead. There are children of Hmong veterans who have never seen the world."

Kou T. Xiong, one of the event organizers, said that for decades Vaming Xiong, chairman of the Hmong American Adhoc Committee of Sacramento, has distinguished himself as an activist, "mobilizing thousands of people across the nation and the world seeking justice for the Hmong people being hunted in the jungles of Laos and the 12 defendants."

The wife and son of the late Gen. Vang Pao also have been invited to the banquet, Kou Xiong said. For more information, call (916) 642-3159 or email kubtxyooj@comcast.net.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/23/3788879/hmong-activist-vaming-xiong-to.html#ixzz1SzHIO3OY

[andro]

He deserves the recognition for all his relentless work.

[Reporter]

This is one of the most impressive and admirable demonstrations I've seen so far in the Hmong community. I commend Vaming Xiong for his success.

By Stephen Magagnini
smagagnini@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Jul. 23, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 2B

Hmong human rights activist Vaming Xiong – who rallied thousands of Hmong protesters in Sacramento and across the nation seeking freedom for Gen. Vang Pao and 11 other defendants accused of plotting the overthrow of Laos – will be honored tonight.

More than 600 guests – including Hmong from all clans and elected officials – are expected at "Honoring One, Honoring All: A Model for Generations." The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the King Palace Restaurant, 5829 Stockton Blvd.

Xiong organized massive demonstrations at the Sacramento Federal Building to protest the arrest of the so-called "Laotian 11" on terrorism charges, claiming they were the victims of entrapment. The U.S. government finally dropped the charges against all defendants.

Xiong never forgot the several thousand Hmong Vietnam War veterans and their families still trapped in the jungles of Laos, where they have been hunted by the Communists.

"Those people have been waiting for over 36 years for Vang Pao," Xiong told The Bee during one of the protests. "I remember when I was trapped in the jungle from 1975 to 1979, you think Vang Pao's still coming every time there's a plane overhead. There are children of Hmong veterans who have never seen the world."

Kou T. Xiong, one of the event organizers, said that for decades Vaming Xiong, chairman of the Hmong American Adhoc Committee of Sacramento, has distinguished himself as an activist, "mobilizing thousands of people across the nation and the world seeking justice for the Hmong people being hunted in the jungles of Laos and the 12 defendants."

The wife and son of the late Gen. Vang Pao also have been invited to the banquet, Kou Xiong said. For more information, call (916) 642-3159 or email kubtxyooj@comcast.net.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/23/3788879/hmong-activist-vaming-xiong-to.html#ixzz1SzHIO3OY

[J0RDAN]

[tsoomhmoob]

This event is all about self-promotion.  I have respect for Vaming but he used this rally opportunity to built himself in front of the community simply because he's a business man.  Sad to say but this recognition event caused a division within the Xiong families as well.  There are other significants out there that deserves the same as Vaming but they've been excluded simply because some Xiongs wanted to promote their Xiong.   This event is a disgrace to see that Vaming tried so hard by using a lot of people and at the end he earned all the credits.

I strongly believe the recognition should go to the elderlies, parents, college and high school students, and the young children who came out there.  Thus far I've seen these organizers bragging about themselves with nonsense.   I remember clearly the recognition event put forth back in Nov. 09 at Burbank HS was all to promote these individuals only.  Nothing ever truly recognized and appreciate those mentioned above.

If they want to be true leader, give all credits to their followers and always put their followers before them.  That's how a true leader should be.  I know some key players who did tremendous job behind the scene to support this rally but they are those who does not wish to claim any credits.

[kye]

the Xiong division was a family matter, but I do understand your point.  Everyone is entitled to his/her opinions, so fire away. 

Leaders without followers are simply a lonely walk in the park.

This event is all about self-promotion.  I have respect for Vaming but he used this rally opportunity to built himself in front of the community simply because he's a business man.  Sad to say but this recognition event caused a division within the Xiong families as well.  There are other significants out there that deserves the same as Vaming but they've been excluded simply because some Xiongs wanted to promote their Xiong.   This event is a disgrace to see that Vaming tried so hard by using a lot of people and at the end he earned all the credits.

I strongly believe the recognition should go to the elderlies, parents, college and high school students, and the young children who came out there.  Thus far I've seen these organizers bragging about themselves with nonsense.   I remember clearly the recognition event put forth back in Nov. 09 at Burbank HS was all to promote these individuals only.  Nothing ever truly recognized and appreciate those mentioned above.

If they want to be true leader, give all credits to their followers and always put their followers before them.  That's how a true leader should be.  I know some key players who did tremendous job behind the scene to support this rally but they are those who does not wish to claim any credits.

[tubyaj]

It's probably a win win situation for all.....name for the business dude and vocie for all the little guys....how politics usually work.

[hmongperson]

I'm hoping that with this commemoration Vaming Xiong and other members of Ad Hoc will continue the fight for justice here in America, not just for General Vang Pao, but for all Hmongs of all walks of life.

[J0RDAN]

This event is all about self-promotion.  I have respect for Vaming but he used this rally opportunity to built himself in front of the community simply because he's a business man.  Sad to say but this recognition event caused a division within the Xiong families as well.  There are other significants out there that deserves the same as Vaming but they've been excluded simply because some Xiongs wanted to promote their Xiong.   This event is a disgrace to see that Vaming tried so hard by using a lot of people and at the end he earned all the credits.

I strongly believe the recognition should go to the elderlies, parents, college and high school students, and the young children who came out there.  Thus far I've seen these organizers bragging about themselves with nonsense.   I remember clearly the recognition event put forth back in Nov. 09 at Burbank HS was all to promote these individuals only.  Nothing ever truly recognized and appreciate those mentioned above.

If they want to be true leader, give all credits to their followers and always put their followers before them.  That's how a true leader should be.  I know some key players who did tremendous job behind the scene to support this rally but they are those who does not wish to claim any credits.

THANK YOU YOU SPEAKING FOR ME.  AS A SCHOLAR OR A TRUE LEADER....YOU SEE THE SAME AS I DO.  THIS WHOLE THING IS ALL ABOUT SELF PROMOTE AND KHAV THEEB XWB...IT'S ALL ABOUT POLITIC XWB BUT IN TRUTH...BS XWB.  WE ALL HAVE TO LEARN THAT TRUE LEADER DON'T DO THIS KINDA OF THINGS.  A TRUE LEADER SHOULD LEARN HOW TO APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE...BUT NOT HIMSELF.  LET THE PEOPLE INSPIRE YOU AND RECOGNIZE YOU....NOT I THIS OR I THAT...PLEASE !

WELL...I AM SORRY BUT HMONG WILL NEVER LEARN....DOESN'T MATTER WHO THEY ARE...ALWAYS FALL INTO THE SAME TRAP DUE GO GREED, SELFIS, AND POWER HUNGRY.  IF THIS CONTINUE...IT WILL SLOWLY DECLINING AND WILL COME TO AN END SOONER OR LATER.

DON'T HATE ME OK...CUZZ I ONLY SAY WHAT I SEE A TRUE LEADER SHOULD LEAD NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO LEAD!!!

[MISS-HMONG-LORD]

Some leadership is better then a group without any leadership.  I do not know the dude nor do I want to care to know the dude.  I DO know that the dude is in his upper 30's and he's 90% white haired.  This can test to the fact that the dude works hard, at all, to help our community (at least.)  You and I will eventually wish that we had him or someone like him to help us rally when our son/daughter gets in real BIG trouble with the law.

[J0RDAN]

Some leadership is better then a group without any leadership.  I do not know the dude nor do I want to care to know the dude.  I DO know that the dude is in his upper 30's and he's 90% white haired.  This can test to the fact that the dude works hard, at all, to help our community (at least.)  You and I will eventually wish that we had him or someone like him to help us rally when our son/daughter gets in real BIG trouble with the law.

that's not the issue....the issue is he does not recognize where he support come from.  Everything it's about him and him and him and him and him....that's the problem hmong people in politic.  In this country...peop le has wake up and if that's how you think you will lead....good LUCK 

[MISS-HMONG-LORD]

if that's the case then those people should of rose to the occassion and told him that they wanted to lead, instead of standing in the background and complaint.   in a community, there can only be one community leader.  whoever calls the shot and hits the target, wins. 

no one can be a perfect model citizen...as human, we are full of flaws..(ie..GVP:  some liked him while other hated him but nevertheless, most followed him.)  no one has to be perfect, it's can you learn to live with it that counts.

[sammyxiong]

It's probably a win win situation for all.....name for the business dude and vocie for all the little guys....how politics usually work.

The freedom to assemble is not only a right, but a privilege, and a responsibility . But to be clear, every demonstration, every assembly is a political statement.

As a collective community, we need to differentiate and/or clarify between the politics of any such assemblies, especially those who claim to do so on all of our behalf.

What's interesting about this Ad Hoc Committee as been their complete absence in protesting and rallying against their political friends and allies in the U.S. Government who arrested, jailed, and attempted to prosecute their leaders in the first place! I swear I did not see any signs or posters or speeches attacking and fighting against George W. Bush, Alberto Gonzales (the guys who authorized Operation Tarnished Eagle), or any of the Lao PDR Politburo members who sought to criminalize GVP from afar. None! Why is this? Why this disconnect between the facts and political rhetoric?

[SinX]

Some leadership is better then a group without any leadership.  I do not know the dude nor do I want to care to know the dude.  I DO know that the dude is in his upper 30's and he's 90% white haired.  This can test to the fact that the dude works hard, at all, to help our community (at least.)  You and I will eventually wish that we had him or someone like him to help us rally when our son/daughter gets in real BIG trouble with the law.

I know Vaming personally. He's not in his 30's. He's at least in his mid-to-late 40's.  Despite the white hair, he does exude a aura of youth from within him.  Vaming has gone through a lot in his life and he has fought very hard for the Hmong (whether there was a hidden agenda of self-promotion or not) and I commend him for his efforts.  It takes a lot of time, energy, and resources to coordinate rallys, attend meetings, plan functions...an d not very many people are willing to donate their attention to these causes.  The problem I see with my Hmong people is that the minute somebody steps up to fight for something, he gets shot down from his fellow Hmongs and is accused of ill intentions.  This is the very reason there is so much division within Hmong organizations.

[tsoomhmoob]

SinX,

I too know Vaming personally - his background and his roles played during his time in Chico and onto Sacramento.  True that he's an activist.  Although; he encountered some bad experience in Chico so decided to move to Sacramento.  Upon his residency in Sacramento he had kept himself a low profile due to the negativity work from Chico.  He waited until this federal case came up and took the opportunity to jump right into the spotlight.  It's good to see he stepped up to take roles in the community but at least could have been handled differently - putting his personal agenda aside from community.  He used a lot of people to built him up to his role and status. 

I also personally know those individuals who did things behind the scene that Vaming crawled to for help, and provided guidances and resources to Vaming and members of the Ad Hoc community.  Do you know who were on the strategic team that came up with the name "Hmong-American Ad Hoc Committee" - the individuals who set forth the mission and vision for Ad Hoc?  Vaming wasn't in that phase nor any of the people within the public's knowledge - not even Wa Her Vang who's in charge of the Ad Hoc headquarter in Fresno.  All of the known Hmong-American Ad Hoc Committee members are foot soldiers who carried on the vision, mission and objective of the "Ad Hoc".  The think-tanker individuals who did things behind the scene has accomplished beyond the public's knowledge.  Do you really think the rallies played the central roles by having the Fed drop the case?  NO WAY.  Only the stupid Hmong claimed "we won the case". 

Again, I hold nothing personal/political and what so ever against Vaming.  I admire his dedication and the time and energy he put in.  What this recognition event did was throwing his true passion for the Hmong people down the drain.  Only the unthinkable Hmong would see that he has leadership.  True leadership doesn't let his personal interest get into the way of his work serving his community/people.  True leaders doesn't claim the credit nor recognize himself.  True leadership always remember and credit  those who helped him, worked with him and where alongside him.  In the case of this particular event, it cause a division within the Xiong families.  Those who shares my view disagreed to this event.  Those who are power hunger ended up putting this event together anyway.  It's called a recognition event but they conducted as a fundraising by having specific groups of people purchased each tables to attend the event with the proceed given to Vaming.  True leader doesn't go out there and put recognition event to promote  themselves like this one.