OKHY’s 2nd Annual Conference

This past weekend, OKHY held their 2nd annual conference with a conference in the afternoon followed by a concert in the evening.  The outcome of the conference wasn’t what we expected but afar from that it was quite meaningful with the people that did attend.  Us board members definitely had a blast. With the effort and amount of time put into this, it was quite worth it. 

We want to say Thank you to all the presenters that held a workshop for our youths here in town.  Like i’ve said and mentioned, You are a great role model for our Hmong youths and we need more of that. You’ve succeeded in school and lived your career paths.  This is something that the youths should see that education is the route to take to reach their goals and dreams in life!  We hoped you had a wonderful time and a great experience with us and with the youths here in town.

Thank you to Johnny Thao - Engineering, Maisee Lor – Education, Sia Vue - Nursing, Paul Her – Business Management, Kong Xiong - Computer Science, Xiathao Moua - Leadership within the Hmong community, Nao Yia Vang - Hmong History, and Joua Xiong - Community Awareness.  You all are a big impact in our hmong society because you’ve made it through life with the experience that we youths and young adults are going through.  Thank you so much for being apart of OKHY 2nd Annual Conference!

Also, we would like to thank our performers!  We are so sure that the ones that attended the concert had a blast just watching you perform your talent!  Thank you so much to Juanita Vang, who spoke her true mind in her poems, Meng Thao the Hmong Magician, who made everyone drop their jaws, the first ever Hmong Tulsa Collaboration, who sang their heart out to our Hmong people, and ofcourse, we can’t forget our special main guest; The KONG and SHU PROJECT!

 

 Thank you so much everyone for being apart of OKHY 2nd Annual Conference & Concert! Without your talents, this concert would have never happen! We are so thankful to have found and met wonderful talents and artists! Thank you!

Lastly, We want to say THANK YOU to everyone that attended OKHY’s 2nd Annual Conference. We hoped you had a blast and a pleasant time with all of us.  Thank you! We hope to keep doing this Annually and yearly, the crowd will be bigger and bigger!

Oklahoma Hmong Youth Fundraiser Pho Night!

Recently, we just had our Fundraiser Pho Night!  Everyone had a fantastic night helping us boards  What surprised all of us boards was that it was a full house! Just look at the photos!

A Full House at our Pho Night!

Thanks to our youth, we have lucratively reached our goal! We couldn’t be more happier! As some of our youth ate, we had live performance from our local town. 

We had many performers such as:

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Dolly Moua [Singer

Dolly Moua was an excellent singer and had placed first in Arkansas New Year! Thanks to Dolly and other performers that took their time to perform in front of everyone!

Not all did we have performances, we had our infamous pho challenge!  Our pho challenge wasn’t a big loss, but we still had fun in watching!

Our only person for Pho Challenge

Unfortunately, we only had one courageous person to take up the challenge. Since he was the only person to take up the challenge, we gave him one of our award! Our award was a free shirt! He chose a shirt that said “What The Pho?” on it!

We also had a Silent Auction. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to take any photos. Some of our donations were sold and it was a great experience!

At the end of a long and tedious day, everyone helped to clean up. We just wanted to thank everyone that came and hoped they had a wonderful time. Thanks to all the performers and the MC’s.   Also a shoutout to our volunteers and Niam Tsev who helped served pho, clean the dishes and prepare for our awsome event! Thank you to everyone!  Be on the look out for further events from Oklahoma Hmong Youth! We can’t wait to see you again! Thank you!

Update: Hearing March 16th

You can go here to watch the video and original article.

Last Update: 6:33 pm
A Vinita man accused of beating up another man for running over his dog made his first appearance in court today.

Only FOX23’s Jamie Oberg was in the courtroom for the initial appearance.

Members of the Hmong community from across Green Country held signs outside the Craig County Courthouse to show support and want justice served.
Youth group members from the Hmong Association of Tulsa held signs saying “We want justice served,” “Get Well Soon” one read, “We don’t hate you Scott, we hate what you did.”

Scott Osborn made his first appearance before a judge Wednesday.
This is 42-year-old Neng Yang was hospitalized for days following a beating he took after running over the defendant’s dog.

“I was shocked about what happened,” protestor, Ya Thao said. “I mean over a dog?”

Yang is out and will see osborn for the first time since Scott Osborn reportedly hit him for killing his dog.

“He is a little worried about it, has some fear,” Yang’s daughter said.

When Yang arrived, he was greeted by a lot of Hmong Youth and Elders supporting him.

“I’m here to see that justice is served,” protestor, Maisee Lor said.

It’s not just local supporters, but hundreds of people nationwide have clicked to support Facebook pages for Neng Yang, one Facebook page protests Osborn.

“A lot of us are mad and angry about what happened, but a lot of us aren’t mad at him,” Many Yang said.

Many Yang does not think Scott Osborn committed a hate crime.
She says the real-racial crime happened afterward; she says it took too long for law enforcement to make arrest a 29-year-old white man for brutally beating an older Hmong man.

“Our blood is red, the same as you, we have a heart, we’re the same as everybody,” Many Yang said.

They want the justice system to work the same way for everyone regardless of race.

Maisee Lor was at school in Tulsa when she heard about what happened, she’s never met the victim but says it’s not about that.

“I was pretty shocked to see a Hmong man was beaten up, but at this point I can’t say who’s right or who’s wrong,”

Hmong Association of Tulsa is keeping an open mind about Osborn, because it’s innocent until proven guilty…for everyone.

Shortly after Yang was released from the hospital his daughter said the truth shall prevail.

We tried to ask Scott Osborn if he had anything to say about this as he walked out of court. Community members and family have contacted FOX23 saying we needed to get his side of the story, and that Scott is not racist and is a good man. Supporters of Scott Osborn who contacted us say his attorney has advised him not to speak to anyone from the media.

Man Arrested For Beating Vinita Driver Who Ran Over His Dog

Many Hmong residents here in Oklahoma will be attending the court case this Wedensday, March 16th, 2011.  The court hearing is schedule for 1:30pm.  If anyone is in the Tulsa area and would like to go, you may contact Stephen Vang at stvang08@yahoo.com for any questions/concerns.  Also, if you would like to send or make any contributions, please email Stephen also.  Thank you for your support!

Read original article here.

posted: Mar 10, 2011 2:56 PM CST Thursday, March 10, 2011 3:56 PM EST Updated: Mar 10, 2011 4:37 PM CST Thursday, March 10, 2011 5:37 PM EST

Enlarge this picture

Scott Osborn [Craig Co Jail]

Enlarge this picture

NewsOn6.com

CRAIG COUNTY — A Craig County man was arrested Thursday for brutally beating another man who ran over his dog, the Craig County Sheriff’s Office said.

3/8/2011 Related Story: Vinita Man Beaten After Running Over Dog

Scott Osborn, 29, was booked on a complaint of aggravated assault and battery.  He bonded out of jail Thursday afternoon.

Osborn is accused of beating Neng Yang after Yang said he accidentally ran over and killed Osborn’s dog.

Yang said he apologized and offered to pay for the dog, but says Osborn knocked him out.  Yang said he was covered in blood and suffered a shattered nose, cheekbones and two broken ribs.

Osborn told deputies he was afraid Yang was going to hit him, so he punched first.

Osborn is expected to go to court next Wednesday, March 16th, 2011.

Channel 23 Coverage

Channel 23 coverage over Vinita incident.

You may go to original post to watch the video. Click Here

Reported by: Jamie Oberg
Email: joberg@fox23.com
Last Update: 12:16 am

Craig County Sheriff’s Department is wrapping up an investigation after a man was severely beaten, after he hit and killed a Vinita man’s dog on E. 200 Rd.

“I would like to see this attacker behind bars,” Pashia Yang said. “I would like to seek justice for my father.”

It breaks 22-year-old, Pashia Yang’s heart to see pictures of her father, Neng Yang taken just days ago, when he was lying in a hospital bed, battered and beaten. 42-year-old Peng Yang suffered a broken jaw, broken ribs, his eyes were swollen shut;  he is out of the hospital but now has to rely on a walker to get around.

Scott Osborn, 29 now faces possible felony aggravated assault charges for fighting with Yang to such an extent.

Last Tuesday around 6 p.m., Yang ran over Osborn’s Doberman while driving to a family farm when he turned down a dead-end road. Craig County Sheriff Jimmie Sooter showed FOX23 crews where the tire marks were, not far from where the alleged beat down took place. Yang reportedly got out to apologize to Osborn.

“He got out of his car and went up to Mr. Osborn, and Mr. Osborn thought he was going to do him harm so he hit him.” Sheriff Sooter said. “I’ve heard he was getting out to apologize… and Mr. Osborn said ‘it’s a thousand dollar dog.’”

“You’ve got to understand in the heat of passion, his dog was run over and killed,” Sooter said he knows pretty much everyone in the county and knows Osborn feels bad things turned so violent. “His [Osborn] son was in the yard as well and the car came very near his son.”

Eight days later, the Yang’s don’t understand why this isn’t an open and shut case.

“I don’t wish for anyone to ever have to go through what my father and what my family has had to go through,” Pashia said.

“I really hope the sheriff’s department will get to the bottom of this, and crack this open,”

Sheriff Sooter says investigations take time and responds kindly to Pashia’s plea for justice, “She wants justice served and we will do a very thorough investigation.”

She thinks the reason her father was beaten so badly has to do more with their race.  Race she said is “a card” she “no one ever wanted to pull.” Pashia says her grandfather fought in Vietnam alongside U.S. troops and she thought the days of prejudices against her Hmong heritage, her father’s language barrier or the color of her skin were gone way before she was born.  Now the family wants to know why no arrests have been made.

“If the tables were turned and my dad was the attacker my dad would have already been arrested, and sitting in jail.”

Sheriff Sooter says hate crimes have happened in his 12 years with the department and those cases were handled by the FBI, and says that would happen now if he thought Osborn hatred toward Yang’s race is what drove him to beat Yang.

“The FBI has contacted me and we’re in agreement it’s not a hate crime.”

Charges won’t come from the Sheriff Sooter or any Craig County Deputy investigating this case, “Once it leaves our office it’s no longer in our hands.”

Now he said it’s in the hands of the Craig County District Attorney, who must decide whether the man who put Yang in the hospital will face any charges.

“I’d like to see justice done, whatever is appropriate,” Sheriff Sooter said. “I can honestly tell her i do not think it’s anything racial, we will do our best to investigate.”

“The truth will prevail itself,” Pashia said.

Osborn could face charges of aggravated assault — a felony charge that could bring jail time or fines.

The Craig County Sheriff’s dept. says Yang could also get a ticket for reckless driving. The investigation is expected to be wrapped up, and on the DA’s office as soon as Wednesday morning.

A viewer called FOX23 and wanted to make it known, the land the Sheriff is “showing in the newscast, is not Scott Osborn’s property.” This viewer, who did not want to be identified, says it is where the incident happened, but that he would not want “any retaliation to come onto an innocent property.”

OKHY Pho Night [Fundraiser]

OKHY is hosting a PHO NIGHT!

When: Saturday, March 26th, 2011
Time: From 5pm – 9pm
Where: Lutheran Church of good Shepherd
8730 E. Skelly Drive
[Where OKHY hosted the annual conference and masquerade ball last year]

Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door
* Your ticket comes with entrance, 1 bowl of pho [any size] and live entertainment.

Entertainment: Enjoy a bowl of Pho while watching our local talents.
OPEN MIC! Live entertainment from our local talents; Rappers, singers, dancers, you name it, we got it!
Bring everyone you know!

Love PHO that much? You think you can handle 10LBS of Pho in 45 minutes? Sign up for our PHO CHALLENGE! Lets see what you got!

There will also be a silent auction!

Come! Come enjoy a bowl of Pho with live entertainment from our local artists!

Any questions and concerns, contact Joua Xiong at 918-810-3083*

All funds goes towards OKHY’s Annual Conference in August.

Update: Man describes altercation as self-defense

The other side of the story.

You may read the article below:

By JARREL WADE World Staff Writer
Published: 3/8/2011  2:27 AM
Last Modified: 3/8/2011  7:13 AM
Original Copy
A Vinita man who fought with another man for running over his dog said Monday that he acted in self-defense.

The dog’s owner, Scott Osborn, 29, told the Tulsa World that the attack on Neng Yang after Yang ran over his dog last Tuesday was not as brutal as it appeared.

Osborn said Monday that he wanted to tell his side of the story and apologize to the Yang family.

Yang ran over Osborn’s dog while he was driving to a family farm and was then confronted by Osborn, said Yang’s daughter, Pashia Yang. The last thing her father remembered was Osborn yelling at him and hitting him in the head, she said.

Yang was hospitalized with shattered bones in his nose, cheek and ribs, along with a dislocated jaw, she said.

Craig County sheriff’s deputies plan to submit their report to the Craig County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether any charges should be filed, Sheriff Jimmie Sooter said Monday.

The report will indicate that Osborn thought he was in danger of being attacked and that Yang recalled only one blow, Sooter said.

A deputy’s report indicates that Yang swerved to miss other dogs in the roadway in front of Osborn’s home and that his vehicle went into the Osborns’ yard and struck his dog, Sooter said.

Osborn said that when the vehicle swerved into his yard and hit the dog, blood splattered on his 8-year-old son.

“My kid was covered in blood from the gift he got from Santa Claus,” he said.

Osborn said
he confronted Yang to get insurance information to pay for the dog but that Yang put his hands up as if he was going to hit him.

“When I hit him, he went flying and hit the door and hit the ground,” he said.

Osborn, who said he is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 280 pounds, said Yang’s hitting the door must have caused the broken ribs.

Osborn said he’s sorry for the assault but thought he was acting in self-defense.

“I feel sorry for the guy and the family,” he said. “It wasn’t intentionally done for that much damage, but it was done to defend myself. I didn’t know if he was intentionally trying to run my dog and kid over or what.”

Yang’s daughter said previously that Osborn had told her father “not to do anything stupid” when Yang left Osborn’s yard after the assault.

On Monday, Osborn offered an explanation for that comment. He said Yang had a gun in his truck – which Sooter confirmed – and that he thought Yang might go for his gun and shoot him as he walked back to his house with his child.

“We’re not bad people,” Osborn said. “It was a bad deal, but we’re not bad people.”

Hmong Father Brutally Beaten for Running a Dog

A Hmong father brutally beaten was sent to the hospital Tuesday for running over a dog.

You may read the article below.

“By JARREL WADE, World staff writer
Published: 3/6/2011 3:16 PM
Last Modified: 3/6/2011 3:18 PM
Link to original article.

A man received a brutal beating that left him in the hospital with shattered bones after he accidentally ran over a dog in Vinita, his family members said.

Neng Yang was driving to a family farm when he ran over a dog and was confronted by the owner.

The last thing he remembered was the owner yelling at him and then hitting him once in the head, said Yang’s daughter Pashia Yang.

Yang is currently in the hospital since the beating on Tuesday and was only able to communicate well about the incident on Thursday, she said.

After blacking out, Yang told his daughter that he remembered coming to covered in blood and with his hands behind his head.

The man who allegedly beat him then forced Yang to shake his hand, let him leave and told him not to do anything stupid, Yang’s daughter said.

His injuries resulted in a dislocated jaw, a shattered nose, broken ribs and severe damage to a cheek, his daughter said.

Stephen Vang, public relations liaison for Hmong American Association of Oklahoma, said he thought the beating approached a hate crime because of the severity of the attack on Yang, who is Hmong.

Vang said although there weren’t obvious signs indicative of a hate crime, if Yang wasn’t Hmong, he wouldn’t have been subjected to that much brutality.

“They treated this guy like he had less worth than a dog,” Vang said.

Craig County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff B.J. Floyd confirmed officers were investigating the incident but would not comment until
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the investigation was complete.

Floyd indicated that assault charges were possible but could not speculate until the investigation was handed over to the Craig County District Attorney’s Office.

The Yang family and Vang are strongly seeking justice and are urging authorities to arrest the attacker as soon as possible.

This crime was inhumane and unacceptable, Pashia Yang said.

“My family and I have high hopes that although this attacker is not in custody, the Craig County Sheriff’s Department and (District Attorney’s) office will seek justice for my father.”

Officials familiar with the investigation urged that the case was being treated like any other case and will be processed as soon as possible.”

Nyob zoo! Welcome

Welcome to Oklahoma Hmong Youth’s blog!  This is where the action starts!  We are a a branch off of Hmong American Association of Oklahoma that was created back in May of 2010.  We are still building the foundation of the organization and hope to exceed well in the future.  So far, we have held numerous of activities for the Hmong youth’s here in Tulsa, Oklahoma and many more to come in the future.  We have held one big event, which is our Annual Conference that will be held every year in August.

What you’ll find on our blog is our youth’s activities down to any kind of information about Oklahoma Hmong Youth; such as important dates, youth activities, events, you name it, we got it.

Our mission statement is to  offer all Hmong Youth a support system where they can explore the Hmong Identity and preserve the Hmong Culture through active participation with the Hmong Community of Oklahoma.

Expect great things from Oklahoma Hmong Youth!