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Grave Desecrations

April 24th, 2006 “Hear Our Grief: Minnesotans Say No to Grave Desecration Rally”

On April 24, 2006, the Human Rights Internship Class co-sponsored a rally at the Minnesota State Capitol along with Senator Mee Moua’s office. “Hear Our Grief: Minnesotans Say NO to Grave Desecration Rally” took place at the Minnesota State Capitol to witness the Minnesota House and Senate pass a resolution in support of the Hmong and urged the government of Thailand to investigate the exhumations and return remains to family members. The City of Minneapolis also proclaims this day as “Minnesotans Against Grave Desecration Day.”

Students from the University of Minnesota have been working on getting legislative action of this issue since it came to their attention in January, 2006. They have put in hundreds of hours into the “Hear Our Grief: Minnesotans Say NO to Grave Desecrations” campaign. Followed the rally was an informal community gathering where various religious and ethnic communities of the Twin Cities came to show their support at the Capitol event.

Photos

Hmong community at the Minnesota Capitol

Members of the Hmong Community gathered at the Minnesota Capitol for the April 24, 2006 rally.

Community members in the MN Senate Gallery

Community members in the MN Senate Gallery listen to the reading of the resolution.

People in the Capitol Rotunda for the rally

Members of the community gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for the rally.

News Articles

“Hear Our Grief” Press Release (PDF) Human Rights Program

Hmong Protest Grave Desecration in Thailand (PDF) wcco.com 04/26/06

Minnesota Pushes for Human Rights Justice (PDF) Hmong Today 04/28/06

Minnesota Legislature Demands Answers to Desecration of Hmong Graves (PDF) Hmong Times 05/01/06

News Videos

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=16366@wcco.dayport.com Video of “Hear Our Grief Rally”

http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=16372@wcco.dayport.com  Video of “Hear Our Grief Rally”