Remember ther Recission Act, Fight Racism and Racial Discrimination!

by Justice for Fil.ipino Amertican Veterans Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at 5:03 PM
jfav_causa@yahoo.com 213-241-0906 1610 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026

On February 18th, we commemorate the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act. On February 18, 1946, the 79th US Congress removed the benefits and all entitlements for 250,000 Filipino World War II veterans by stating “their military service were not deemed active”. By a stroke of a pen,the US government removed the recognition of the wartime services and the sacrifices of the Filipino nation during World War II. For 62 years, Filipino veterans suffered discrimination and racism. Of all 66 nationalities that served the American flag, only the Filipinos were excluded from their benefits and recognition. To add insult to injury, the promise that they will given citizenship was granted later in 1990, when the immigration reform bill was passed.

JFAV Statement on the 62nd Year of the Rescission Act of 1946

Remember ther Recission Act, Fight Racism and Racial Discrimination!

On February 18th, we commemorate the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act.

On February 18, 1946, the 79th US Congress removed the benefits and all entitlements for 250,000 Filipino World War II veterans by stating “their military service were not deemed active”. By a stroke of a pen,the US government removed the recognition of the wartime services and the sacrifices of the Filipino nation during World War II.

For 62 years, Filipino veterans suffered discrimination and racism. Of all 66 nationalities that served the American flag, only the Filipinos were
excluded from their benefits and recognition. To add insult to injury, the promise that they will given citizenship was granted later in 1990, when the
immigration reform bill was passed.

It does not matter that the Philippines became a battleground in a war not of our own choosing. The US does not care if we lost one million Filipinos during the war. That the Philippines was one of the most devastated nations and Manila was the most destroyed city in Asia as was know as the “Warsaw of the East.”

More than 200,00 population of Manila was killed during its liberation in 1945. Of more than the 250,000 who served during the war, only 18,000
Filipino veterans remained.

More than 30,000 Filipino veterans went to the United States only to be discover that they were not recognized American veterans and only social security incentives were given to them. This situatiion was born – the justice for veterans and equity movement by the Filipino American community.

By December 7, 1993 the first mass mobilization led by the December 7 Movement (D7M) and the Alyansa ng Komunbidad (AK) by moré than 600 veterans was held in the federal building in Westwood Los Angeles. The December 7 Movement was replaced by the Justice For the Filipino V eterans (JFAV) formed in December 16, 1998 by People's CORE,

By 1997, the veterans formed the lobby in Washington DC led by the ACFV. Since then we gained sizeable and significant victories like SSI, Citenship, health acess, burial benefits and others but we are still marginalized,discriminated and still unrecognized by the US government.

The fact is that racism still is the order of the day.Although our veterans were given monuments, markers, burial plots, citations, plaques and honors by public officials they remain just balms to sooth wounded pride and feelings. Still, the promise of equity and justice remains an elusive dream.

Up to now, the equity bill and the family reunification bill is still languishing in the US Congress without any hope in sight. For 62 years, the wrongs have not been corrected and the inequities and injustice to the Filipino nation and the veterans remained.

Thus, we continue to struggle. The Justice For Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) vows never to let up until racism and injustice remains. We will fight to
uphold the contributions of the Filipinos to the victory in World War II and the veterans to the victory of democracy all over the world.

At the same time fulfill their yearnings for justice and equity as well as family reunification. No Justice , No Peace!

Recogniiton, Justice and Equity, NOW!


February 18, 2008