Three Teens Arrested in Attack on Asian Woman in St. Paul

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



Three Arrested in St. Paul LRT Station Attack
Police have arrested three teenagers following an attack on an Asian woman on a train platform in St. Paul. Video of the assault, which was shared widely across social media, shows one of the teens kicking the victim in the head. The attack was never reported, but transit authorities were able to identify the assailants using surveillance footage. They're still reportedly trying to identify the victim.

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Asian American Woman Harassed by Self-Identified Trump Supporter
A San Francisco resident who faced anti-Asian harassment while walking her dogs is speaking out, urging those who witness such xenophobia to step in to help. Amanda Law said she was near the Great Highway last month when a woman approached her to ask why she wasn't staying home. In video of the incident, recorded by Law, the woman can be seen walking toward the camera, asking why Law "doesn't go back to where she came from," as passersby stepped in and told the woman not to harass her. The video shows the woman continuing to walk toward the camera. "Americans said we don't want you here," the woman said later in the video. "That's why we elected President Trump." Yup, that's why.

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Family of 5 Doctors Loses Both Father and Daughter to Coronavirus
A father and a daughter, both of whom were doctors, died from COVID-19 and were honored by New Jersey governor Phil Murphy at Thursday's daily briefing for their contributions. Dr. Satyender Dev Khanna and his daughter Dr. Priya Khanna were remembered by Murphy at the daily briefing as selfless healthcare heroes, who dedicated their lives to helping others. They leave behind the elder Khanna's wife and two daughters. All three are also physicians.

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Helpers in the Time of Coronavirus< The latest episode of the podcast Asian Americana explores the stories of Asian Americans working to defend our communities from attacks, the volunteers organizing direct aid to vulnerable populations, the people translating information into terms and languages so more can understand, and the local businesses helping each other and their communities survive during Covid-19.

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Driveways
The indie drama Driveways, directed by Andrew Ahn, is now available to download and stream. Hong Chau stars as Kathy, an acerbic, world-weary woman who travels with her young son to her deceased sister’s house to take care of her affairs. While there, her son strikes up a friendship with Del (the late Brian Dennehy, in one of his final lead roles), a gruff retiree who lives next door, who is estranged from his queer daughter. The film talks about loss in an open and frank way and shows that kindness and community are integral to moving on.

A Message From "Your Friendly Neighborhood"

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America.



"We're Watching You Fucking Chinks"
An Asian American couple in Woodbury, Minnesota came home to find this note taped to their front door. It says: "We're watching you fucking chinks take the chinese virus back to china. We don't want you hear infecting us with your diseases!!!!!!!!!! - Your friendly neighborhood." They notified their landlord and reported the incident to the police, but they have no idea who would do this. For now, I guess they'll have to assume all of their "friendly neighbors" are racist cowards.

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Asian Americans Report Over 650 Racist Acts Over Last Week
Since its inception March 18, the online reporting forum Stop AAPI Hate has received more than 650 direct reports of discrimination against Asian Americans -- being coughed at or spit on and being told to leave stores, Uber and Lyft drivers refusing to pick them up, verbal and online harassment and physical assault.

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Restaurant Owner Battles Coronavirus by Delivering Food to Hospitals
In Los Angeles, The Park's Finest restaurant may have shuttered its physical dining room in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, but owner Johneric Concordia and crew have been busy feeding healthcare workers, delivering dozens of orders to hospitals all across Los Angeles County since Saturday.

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San Francisco Nurse Goes Viral with TikTok Clips About the Coronavirus
San Francisco pediatric nurse Miki Rai has earned online fame by posting dancing video to TikTok -- which she uses to educate users about the coronavirus, sharing tips on how to maintain a safe social distance, while also speaking out about the struggles faced by healthcare workers.

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Alan Yang's Tigertail Is a 'Fever Dream' of His Father's Immigration Story
Tigertail, available on Netflix on April 10, is a story of lost love, reconnection and one man's journey from Taiwan to America. Writer/director Alan Yang says the film is a love letter to his family and all Asian immigrants.

Meet Minnesota's first Hmong American judge

Sophia Vuelo sworn in to become the first Hmong American to serve as a judge in Minnesota.



This week in Minnesota, Sophia Vuelo was sworn in as the 29th member of the Ramsey County District Court bench, becoming the state's first Hmong American judge, and only one of a few in the country.

Minnesota swears in state's first Hmong-American judge

Vuelo has nearly 20 years experience as an attorney in both the private and public sectors, working as both a prosecutor and public defender. She was running her own law firm specializing in juvenile protection, family and criminal law when Gov. Mark Dayton appointed her to replace retired Judge Margaret Marrinan.

She is the first Hmong American to serve as a judge in Minnesota, and believed to be only the third Hmong American judge in the United States.

Officer, at least unbuckle his seat belt before you unjustly beat the shit out of him.

Dash cam video of Minnesota traffic stop shows police officer violently assaulting motorist.



The ACLU of Minnesota is calling for an investigation into the police officers who pulled over a motorist and violently assaulted him. Dash cam footage shows one officer viciously beating the young man who is still buckled in his car seat, while another officer purposely turns off the camera's audio.

In the Blink of an Eye, Police Officers Turned This Traffic Stop Into an Unnecessarily Violent Encounter

Anthony Promvongsa was driving in Worthington, Minnesota on July 28, 2016 when Agent Joe Joswiak of the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force pulled him over and proceeded to beat the shit out of him. Well, first Joswiak threw open Promvongsa's door and screamed "Get the fuck out of the car, motherfucker!" Then he beat the shit out of him. Promvongsa didn't even get a chance to unbuckle his seat belt before Joswiak started swinging.

In police dash cam footage obtained by the ACLU, Joswiak can be seen punching, kicking and elbowing Promvongsa several times in the back before yanking him out of the driver's seat of his Honda Pilot, throwing him to the ground. Then he presses his knee to the back of Promvongsa's neck, pinning him face down on the pavement while he and Sgt. Tim Gaul of the Worthington Police Department handcuffed him.

At some point, Gaul intentionally turns off the audio of the encounter. After he is placed inside the squad car, Promvongsa can be heard breathing heavily and sobbing.

Hmong family's home targeted with racist graffiti

Vandals spray-painted "CHINKS" on the garage door.



There's nothing quite like someone asshole spray-painting "CHINKS" in giant letters across the front of your house to make you feel welcome in the neighborhood. Over the weekend in Minnesota, a Hmong family's home was targeted by vandals who defaced their garage door and car with hate graffiti.

Police investigate racist graffiti in Oakdale

The incident occurred early Sunday morning at a home in Oakdale, a Twin Cities suburb. The vandals spray-painted the racial slur on the garage door, and "Lick my bulls" [sic] across the side of a car. Really?

TL Xiong, who lives at the home with this parents, posted photos of the vandalism on Facebook. He noted that his family moved in to the house only two months ago and warned the vandals that "karma will get you."

Elderly woman attacked by police dog in her own backyard

Coon Rapids Police mistook 81-year-old Choua Xiong for a burglar.



In Minnesota, community members are demanding answers and accountability from the Coon Rapids Police Department after an elderly Hmong woman was attacked and bitten by a police K-9 in her own backyard.

Coon Rapids police unleash dog on 82-year-old grandma cleaning her shed

81-year-old Choua Xiong was doing some work in her backyard shed early Sunday morning when officers, responding to a burglary call, unleashed a police dog on her. Note: she was in her own shed, in her own backyard. Xiong suffered bites to her arm and was hospitalized.

Police say officers received a 911 call from a woman who said she saw an intruder in a black coat in her backyard, and heard a loud noise coming from somewhere in the back of her residence. Officer arrived on the scene and spotted someone in a shed next door with a flashlight.

Suspecting a burglary was underway, they yelled to the shed and ordered the "suspect" to come out, but got no response. So they unleashed to police dog to take down whoever was inside.

The "suspect" turned out to be Xiong. She apparently does not speak English, is hard of hearing, and didn't understand the officer's commands. Congratulations, officers. You and your friggin' attack dog just busted an 81-year-old grandma "intruding" on her own property.

Stop the Unjust Deportations of the Minnesota 8 #ReleaseMN8

Cross-Posted from 18 Million Rising



This past summer, 8 Cambodian Americans in Minnesota ("MN 8") were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for unjust deportation. Families, friends, and neighbors have banded together by launching the #ReleaseMN8 campaign. Watch their call to action video here.

What is happening is unjust because the Obama Administration pledged to deport felons, not families. Unjust deportation is an important Asian American issue and families are fighting to stay together (e.g. the Adam Crapser Korean Adoptee case). Now the next Trump Administration may escalate attacks on Asian American families, even though we understand that deporting people who contribute to society is a waste of time and money.

Cambodian Americans from Minnesota are about to be deported to a country they’ve never been to

Guest Post by Vichet Chhuon


Sameth Nhean and his family.
Eight Cambodian Americans from Minnesota are currently being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These men were detained last August as part of nation-wide raid by ICE. The families of these detained individuals have dubbed themselves the "MN 8" and are demanding the immediate release of their loved ones back to their families.

The MN 8 are seemingly caught up in an immigration system that since 1996 strictly limits the abilities of immigration judges to consider issues of family ties, atonement, and rehabilitation. The deportation of Cambodian Americans began swiftly following a 2002 repatriation agreement between the US and Cambodian governments. Each of the detained individuals have a past aggravated felony conviction, which triggered their deportation orders. An aggravated felony is wide ranging category of which the conviction could trigger at least a 1-year sentence. Each of these men have served their sentences and were leading otherwise regular lives with spouses, children and work when they were detained.

Video captures aftermath of police shooting in Minnesota

This is not someone else's problem.



In Minnesota, police shot and killed a man during a traffic stop Wednesday evening, in the second fatal encounter between police and an African-American man to gain national attention this week.

32-year-old Philando Castile was shot by a police officer in suburban St. Paul. Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, streamed video of the incident on Facebook Live immediately after the shooting, showing Castile bleeding from a wound to his chest area and the officer with his gun still visible through the window.

Reynolds had been riding in the car with Castile and her 4-year-old daughter. In the video, she said Castile was stopped for a broken tail light, had informed the officer that he had a gun in the car and was licensed to carry, and was reaching for his wallet at the officer's request. And yet he was still shot.

Details are still emerging, but in the video, Reynolds says the police officer is Asian.

What happened to the dash cam video in this police shooting?

Three minutes of crucial squad car footage have (in)conveniently gone missing.



In Minnesota, a man is suing a Brooklyn Park police officer for shooting him last year. There are about four minutes of police dash cam video might shed light on what actually went down that night. Conveniently or inconveniently -- depending on whose side of the story -- that video footage seems to have disappeared.

4 minutes of crucial dash cam video missing in man's case

Last year, 22-year-old Shoua Yang was at Valentine's Day party when a fight broke out and police were called to a banquet hall. According to the criminal complaint, three men ran into a car and the driver put it in reverse in high speed toward Officer Jason Chadbourne, who fired multiple shots at the vehicle. Yang was shot.

Yang, accused of driving the car at Chadbourne, was charged with second-degree assault, but was acquitted by a jury last month. His lawsuit offers a different side of the story:

Hey Minnesota! Are you Southeast Asian? Take this survey.

Research study on early childhood education in Southeast Asian communities.



This is for all my people in Minnesota... The state's Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans is looking for folks to participate in a research study on Early Childhood Education among Southeast Asian families in Minnesota, including the Cambodian/Khmer, Hmong, Karen, Lao, and Vietnamese communities. Take the online survey, and you'll help CAPM inform valuable research and funding for the Southeast Asian community.

Here are some more details on who's eligible to take the survey:

Man missing after jumping in river to save nephew

21-year-old Tou Hu Vang was swept away by rough currents in the St. Croix River



In Minnesota, rescue teams are searching for a missing man who was swept away on Sunday evening when he jumped into the fast-moving St. Croix River to save his 11-year-old nephew. Fortunately, the boy was saved by good samaritan who also jumped in the water, but his uncle did not resurface.

Search for man missing in St. Croix resumes Tuesday

Calvin Vang was fishing at a scenic boat landing near Taylors Falls when he tripped on a rock and fell into the raging water. His uncle, 21-year-old Tou Hu Vang, jumped in the water in an attempt to rescue him, but was swept away by the rough current. Another man, described in news reports as a "good samaritan," leapt into the river and was able to pull Calvin to safety:

Victim identifies home invasion suspects in YouTube rap videos

You know them from such hits as "All I Do Is Hustle" and "Hooked On Money."



Whaaaaat. Asians behaving badly... rapping robbers edition? In St. Paul, Minnesota three men were arrested for a home invasion robbery after the victim spotted the suspects appearing in rap videos posted on YouTube: St. Paul man finds home invasion suspects in YouTube rap video.

According to authorities, the three men were going door-to-door posing as pamphleteers last month when they forced their way into the victim's home and attacked him, threatening his 2-year-old daughter. The suspects eventually made off with $2,000 cash, a laptop, an iPad and two handguns, but thankfully, nobody was hurt.

Here's the crazy part. According to the search warrant affidavit, just a few days after the robbery, the victim was watching YouTube when he came across a rap video featuring his three alleged attackers:

Bao Phi's lessons from Miss Saigon

In which a poet tells me everything I need to know about the hit musical



Just want to point you to this powerful, thoughtful personal essay by poet/community activist Bao Phi, who speaks about his personal history of protest against the musical Miss Saigon: War Before Memory: a Vietnamese American protest organizer's history against Miss Saigon.

Miss Saigon is scheduled for a one-week engagement in St. Paul's Ordway theater next month, and has already been met with considerable objections from the community because, well, it's a really friggin' racist show. And dude, this ain't the first time: Twin Cities is home to long legacy of protest of 'Miss Saigon'

I'm going to be completely honest: I've never had the opportunity to see Miss Saigon. I heard there's a helicopter on stage. Yay. But I'll take Bao's word for it. I definitely don't need to see this show.

Surprise! Runner goes to the hospital for back pain, gives birth to a baby

Whaaaaat. This week in Minnesota, a half-marathon runner in training went to the hospital suffering some terrible back pain. She thought she had ruptured a disc or pulled a muscle. Turned out she was pregnant... and going into labor: Runner's pain is no pulled muscle; it's a baby.

33-year-old Trish Staine apparently had no idea she was pregnant. After a two-hour run on Sunday, she had a sore back that got increasingly worse, and unbearable by the next day. She eventually ended up in the emergency room, where she and her husband were stunned to learn that she was carrying a baby.

And so Staine, a mother of two and stepmother to her husband's three boys, gave birth to baby girl -- 6 pounds, 6 ounces and 18.9 inches long:

Man charged with killing 9-year-old boy in shooting attack

Dammit. Last week in Minnesota, a man was charged with murder after allegedly opening fire at passing cars and killing a 9-year-old boy: Nhan Tran, Minn. man, charged in shooting attack that injured 2 women, killed 9-year-old boy.

34-year-old Nhan Tran was charged with killing fourth-grader Devin Aryal, who was riding by in a minivan and shot multiple times, including in the head. His mother was shot in the arm. Another woman was also injured.

According to witnesses, Tran was just walking down the block in the St. Paul suburb of Oakdale, shooting at passing cars. According to the criminal complaint, Tran was carrying close to 200 rounds of ammunition and two large knives when he was arrested. What the hell was wrong with this guy? Tragic.

Airline issues boarding pass to wrong elderly Asian woman

Outrageous. Just read about the ridiculous incident on BadAirline involving an elderly Asian woman who recently missed her flight because Delta Airlines issued her boarding pass to the wrong elderly Asian woman: Delta Issues Boarding Pass to Wrong Elderly Asian Woman.

Va Yang arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last month for her flight to Tokyo-Narita, but when she tried to check in, she was informed by the gate agent that someone named Va Yang had already checked in.

They had apparently already issued the boarding pass to someone else... and that was that. They wouldn't check her in and refused to even look into the matter. Seriously? No possibility that you gave the wrong boarding pass to the wrong Asian woman with the same or similar name?

Ms. Yang missed her flight.