Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus Statement on Yia Xiong

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Asian Pacific (MAP) Caucus issued the following statement in wake of the death of Yia Xiong:

“Our hearts hurt as we mourn the loss of community member Yia Xiong. We stand in solidarity with his family and community as they grieve this life taken by St. Paul law enforcement. Yia Xiong was a community elder, and he should have been treated with respect and dignity in his time of crisis. Yia Xiong was a veteran and refugee, who should not have escaped violence in his home country only to die by violence here.

We, the MAP Caucus, refuse to participate in the racist structures given to us. We are unwavering in our unity with Black people and the movement for Black lives. We also acknowledge the very real fact that the Asian community, and specifically the Hmong community, have historically experienced disproportionate and targeted violence at the hands of police. We must stand together to defeat systemic racism and institutional violence.

The MAP Caucus calls on all legislators to work in solidarity and with urgency on making transformational changes to policies and laws that will focus on ending police violence against community members, and creating a justice system that works for all—including people of color living with disabilities.”

The MAP Caucus is comprised of; Rep. Ethan Cha (47B), Sen. Foung Hawj (67), Rep. Kaohly Vang Her (64A), Rep. Fue Lee (59A), Rep. Liz Lee (67A), Sen. Susan Pha (38), Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (63A), Rep. Samantha Vang (38B), Rep. Jay Xiong (67B), and Sen. Tou Xiong (SD44).