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HABA Statement on the Killing of George Floyd

Click here for the HABA Statement on George Floyd

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Minneapolis police officers while handcuffed and forcibly detained against the ground.

The Hmong American Bar Association stands with our fellow bar associations and our community in asking for justice. We grieve with the family of George Floyd, the Black community and all families who have lost loved ones to senseless violence, racism, and abuse of power. We grieve for our community, especially those who have experienced racism, bigotry, and hate. We unreservedly stand in solidarity with those who actively work for reconstruction of our system for long and effective change.

The firing and prosecution of the four officers involved, appointment of the Attorney General to prosecute the case, and the charge by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights against the Minneapolis Police Department are good first steps. But more needs to be done.

We must acknowledge and critically examine the centuries of deeply- rooted racism in our nation, and quickly implement change for a better future. The legal system should work for the benefit of victims and not to protect the perpetrators.

The time for meaningful and lasting change is now. We must act so we can eliminate racism, hate, prejudice, bigotry, and all other forms of discrimination in our society amongst those bestowed the greatest civilian powers to police our communities. We demand better for our communities. Justice and equality require better.

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Racial Harassment & Attacks on Asian-Americans During COVID-19 Pandemic

HABA has issued issued a statement on the recent issues of harassment and attacks in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Click the link below to the letter.

HABA Letter 03.25.2020

The Hmong American Bar Association has received reports of recent racial
harassment and discriminatory attacks on people of Asian descent in our
Minnesota communities and across the country during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. On March 25, 2020, Minnesota Public Radio aired
a report on the recent racially motivated incidents directed at Asian
Americans.1

We are extremely concerned that the anxiety and fear caused by
the pandemic will result in growing instances of racial harassment and
violence against Asian-Americans, including Hmong Americans.
The Hmong American Bar Association condemns these acts.
We are heartened by the responses of Governor Walz and others who have
issued remarks condemning blame against Asian-Americans but we believe
there is more that can be done to curb the attacks as we all deal with the
effects of the pandemic.
We write asking for your agency’s assistance using the authority at your
means to prevent and discourage these harmful acts. We urge you to publicly
announce how and where reports should be filed and that your office will
investigate and prosecute these racially motivated acts to the fullest extent of
the law. We trust that you will have other ideas and methods as to how your
agency may continue to provide a sense of safety for our Asian-American
neighbors who now fear to go out in our communities.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, our board, and our members of
the Hmong American Bar Association should you have any questions or
ways in how we may partner together for our community members moving
forward.
We hope that you join the Hmong American Bar Association in condemning
these racially motivated acts.
Respectfully,

Mai Lee Yang
HABA President

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HABA Meet the Judges!

Thank you to the Honorable Paul Yang and the Honorable Adam Yang for hosting HABA at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul, MN on January 9, 2020!  We had an in depth conversation on the path to the bench, other decision-making positions in Ramsey County, and life on the bench. Thank you to the other judges in attendance: Chief Judge John Guthmann, Judge Leonardo Castro, Judge JaPaul Harris, Judge Richard Kyle, and Human Services Judge James Song.