Washington D.C. (FFC)  On June 15^th a group of Hmong citizens led by Zong Khang Yang began an 1100 mile walk from St. Paul, Minnesota to Washington, D.C.  The purpose of the march is to bring awareness to grass roots America of the plight of the veterans of the U.S. Secret War and their families that are still trapped in the jungles of Laos and have been the subject of genocide at the hands of the communists for nearly thirty years.  Yang's Long Walk for Freedom will arrive in the nations capitol on Wednesday, August 18, 2004.
Hmong and Lao leaders from around the world will be on hand to greet the marchers as they enter the city.  Major General Vang Pao, world leader of the Hmong in exile,  Dr. Khampay Ampay of Australia, world leader of the Lao people in exile,  General Tonglith of France,  former military leader during the Secret War, and members of the Royal Lao family and other leaders will be in attendance at a rally to be held at the Vietnam War Memorial.
Following the rally the leaders will join the marchers as they walk to the Capitol Building and present their concerns to Congress.  A reception at the Hart Senate Office building is scheduled for the afternoon.

The rally that begins at 9:00 AM will feature talks by award winning international photo-journalist Philip Blenkinsop, and Misha Maltzev member of the BBC team which recently documented the conditions of the people in the jungles of Laos.  Their photographs and those of other journalists will be on exhibit at the rally and at the Congressional reception.  The reception is scheduled for 3:00 PM in room 902 of the Hart Senate Office Building.