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Hundreds honor Hmong activist at memorial

The crowd packed into the East Ridge High School in Woodbury for Tou Ger Xiong's memorial.

WOODBURY, Minn. — A community pillar for the Hmong community was honored by a crowd of hundreds, including a U.S. Senator. 

The crowd packed into the East Ridge High School in Woodbury for Tou Ger Xiong's memorial.

“He was my son, but he belonged to everyone in the community,” said Xiong's mother, Sao Lou Vue.

Senator Amy Klobuchar also spoke at the event.

"He was a light in the never-ending shade," said Klobuchar.

Tou was vacationing in South America when he was kidnapped and killed either Dec. 11 or 12, according to a Colombian newspaper. Authorities have not yet released details or a motive for his murder. 

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