Vietnamese freedom activists Doan Viet Hoat, Jimmi Tran, and Ly Tong were greeted with a hero's welcome as they arrived in the U.S. after being released from the communist jail in Vietnam.

Relatives and hundreds of well-wishers shared the joyous moments at respective airports in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco as the three individuals whose freedom they had fought for arrived. Overseas Vietnamese have relentlessly protested the Hanoi government's imprisonment of people who advocate basic freedom and human rights in Vietnam. Their cause has been taken up by numerous human rights organizations and individuals around the world.

Among the many people to welcome Prof. Doan Viet Hoat in Los Angeles and Jimmi Tran in San Jose was California Assemblyman Jim Morrissey, a tireless champion for the cause of Vietnamese political prisoners. The Vietnamese heroes were swamped by the media as they stepped into the airport terminal.

The Vietnamese community overseas is also elated with news of the release of other prominent political prisoners in Vietnam including Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Venerables Thich Quang Do, Thich Tri Sieu and Thich Tue Sy. The community is resolved to continue fighting for the release of thousands of other political prisoners in Vietnam.