Fresno’s potential new law may threaten the Hmong Community

By Ronan Vanthy

A proposed California bill that aims to restrict backyard livestock has left the Fresno Hmong community concerned, where raising roosters is deeply tied to their everyday lives in their religious practices. Lawmakers say the intention was to target noise complaints and illegal cockfighting, but members say it unintentionally threatens long held customs and practices.

Supporters argue that the sound of chickens every morning is such a public nuisance that they’re glad they’re are doing this, But In fresno, home to one of the largest hmong population who’s people also fought for america during the vietnam war and then were persecuted because of it, argue that it is a betrayal and injustice. 

For many Hmong families, many roosters are needed and kept to be raised in large groups. Not only are they essential to food practices, but also ceremonies, healing rituals, weddings, and funerals. It is a custom that is very specific on hand-raised roosters, too, because they need to breed the rooster based on certain features. 

“We have to raise our own chicken for our traditions, the way the feet curl a certain way, if we buy store-bought chicken, people will look down on us,” said Ker Xiong

After the Secret War also known as the Vietnam War, also known as the Indochina War, Fresno and Minnesota are the two main areas for Hmong refugee families, as they rebuilt their lives trying to preserve traditions that took with them from a war torn life. 

Community members say limiting the number of roosters under the ordinance could make it nearly impossible to continue these cultural practices and maintain their identity. Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig says that because of the issues that were brought up, they are working to modify the bill.

“Our culture would disappear because we can’t pass down our traditions, and eventually, our kids wouldn’t know who we are and then nobody would know who we are,” said Ker Xiong.