A Hennepin County judge denied a request from a Hmong woman who wanted to peform a traditional ceremony in the courtroom. Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, talks about traditional acts in Hmong culture. Her says these ceremonies can take different forms, but often include drinking a ceremonial beverage.

Yer Vang, who sued an airport food service company for discrimination, sought to perform a ceremony which she believed would cause the death of anyone involved in her trial who did not tell the truth or act on the facts. Judge Harry Crump said such a ceremony would violate the decorum of the courtroom, but could be done in the lobby area of the courthouse.