We at the Council are deeply saddened and shocked at the news of the kidnapping and murder of Tou Ger Xiong in Colombia. Tou Ger was a tireless advocate for those without a voice, a powerful storyteller for the Hmong American community, and a champion for building understanding between people of different cultures and backgrounds. We cannot fully express our shock and profound sadness at the news that he is now gone. 

 

Many across our communities knew Tou Ger as a vocal activist, motivational speaker, and talented comedian capable of bringing people together. These talents made Tou Ger a close partner with our Council--as a champion seeking to end gender-based violence and as the emcee of signature events we led and supported, including API Day at the Capitol, the Asian Pacific Minnesotans Leadership Awards Dinner, and Songkran at the State Capitol.

 

Our thoughts are with all who are grieving the loss of Tou Ger. We encourage everyone to honor his memory by supporting the causes that were near and dear to his heart. We thank Tou Ger for his commitment to the common good--we at the Council, our communities, and our state are better off because he was our friend, our colleague, our neighbor, and our ally.