Though I think that there is much needed attention to the plight of Hmong refugees and guerilla fighters in Laos and Thailand, I'm concern about the relationship between one voice and we are america dnc. I understand the importance of partnering with organizations to strengthen advocacy and raise visibility. However, i'm concern that the Hmong situation will be overshadowed by the immigration reform rally. I'm also concerned that the DNC may be not be the best venue to host a rally, aimed at raising awareness, about the Hmong situation. There will be many other activists there trying to bring their cause to the attention of DNC goers. At the same time, you must be mindful that, knowing that there will be many picketeers outside of the convention, convention goers will are prepared to be unresponsive to activists. How have you and your group planned to be at the head of these activists rather than be pushed back to end? How have you and your group planned to communicate the issue of the Hmong refugees so that your message is clear and concise? I'm stressing this because it is important for people to understand that disconnect between the human rights violations in Laos and the Hmong refugee situation in Thailand. Though both situations involve the same groups of people, policies to remedy these two situations are handled on very different administrative and governmental levels.

Lastly, I want to comment on the video that you posted. I think that the video is a great way to garner support for the humanitarian violations. Yet, posting a video without explanation as to what people are going to see, the historical context of the video and history of the Hmong is not the most effective way of sharing information and garnering support. Why should people be outraged at this video? With so many other challenges facing Hmong Americans, why should they care about the Hmong in Laos?

I'm available for a phone discussion anytime if you'd like feedback and support of your work. Nou Vang, Hmong National Development, 202-797-9105

@vangpire - 

Dear Nou Vang:

Thank you so much for your message on my Xanga site (which I have pasted in blue below ). I also had some of the same concerns regarding our presence at the DNC and how the One Hmong Voice Coalition could align its goals within the framework of the We Are America's goals, however, we do share enough common interests to make our presence at the DNC worthwhile. I am certain that we will be overshadowed by the Immigration Reform rally, but I feel that it is important to at least try to attract any media attention possible to the plight of the Hmong and to take advantage of this rare opportunity at the DNC where so much international media will be present.

I will be attending a planning meeting for the We Are America Rally on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, to learn more about their plans for the March and Rally. Since we did not have a permit for the DNC, we had to join with an organization which already had a permit and the We Are America group were quite excited to have us join them.

Our own plans for effective communication includes the following:

1. Clear and concise messages will be painted on Foam Core boards. Any advice on protest messages that you've used in the past that worked well to raise the issue of the Forced Repatriation of Hmong Refugees in Thailand and of the Hmong Persecution in Laos would be greatly appreciated.
2. A press release to inform the media about our presence at the DNC will be emailed to an international distribution list.
3. We will be distributing the attached flier to participants at the DNC and to media professionals. The back of the flier has a picture essay which gives people more information about the Hmong plight. Our main goal is to make as many contacts as possible at the DNC and to establish more relationships with the media and to continue building our One Hmong Voice Coalition network.

As for the video that I posted on my site: http://www.xanga.com/Hmong_Apsara

The description of the video was copied and pasted from YouTube. You asked: "Why should people be outraged at this video? With so many other challenges facing Hmong Americans, why should they care about the Hmong in Laos?"

I understand that you can't force people to care, but for the people who actually take the time to watch this video there is a shared human outrage of man's cruelty to each other. The video is meant to educate and inform the general public about the Hmong plight, however, whether they care about the Hmong in Laos is truly up to them. The people who are responsible for these atrocities MUST be held accountable, both in Laos and in Thailand.

I called your office earlier and left a message. Thank you again so much for your support and advice. I greatly appreciate it and need it!

Khup khun kha,

Prisana

how are you?