January 17, 2008
Press Conference
What: The Vietnamese government arrested two American citizens for distributing pro-democracy leaflets on November 17, 2007.
Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan–a mathematician from Sacramento–and Leon Truong–a restaurateur from Honolulu–were among a group of six people detained while circulating petitions produced by Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Party), a pro-democracy group promoting peaceful political change in Vietnam.
On December 11, 2007, Leon Truong was released while Nguyen Quoc Quan and one Thai and two Vietnamese citizens remain behind bars without formal charges. Thursday, January 17th marks two months in jail for Dr. Quan.
These latest arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown against political dissent in Vietnam. Since April, the Vietnamese government has sentenced numerous individuals to jail for “propaganda against the socialist state.”
The press conference will highlight the support from the California Legislature for Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan. On the two-month anniversary of his arrest, 45 Assemblymembers signed a letter demanding the Vietnamese government immediately release the Sacramento resident. They join numerous parliamentarians and human rights groups around the world who have protested the arrest of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan and his colleagues.
The press conference will examine why the Vietnamese government represses peaceful political dissent and possible actions by the State of California.
FreeThemNow is an international coalition of human rights activists who joined together after the November 17th arrest of two Americans, one French, one Thai, and two Vietnamese citizens.
Who: Ms. Huong Ngo (wife of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan) State Senator Lou Correa
Assemblymember Dave Jones
Assemblymember Van Tran
Mr. Diem Do (Chairman of Viet Tan)
Mr. Doan Thi ( FreeNguyenQuocQuan Committee in Sacramento)
When: Friday January 18, 2008
10 AM – 11AM
Where: Room 1190, State Capitol
Contact: Angelina Do
Phone: +1 916 588 5391
