Media Advisory

Alliance Philippines (AJLPP)

October 11, 2008

AJLPP Support JFAV Nationwide Mass Actions for the Veterans Rights

Los Angeles— Bailout the Filipino Veterans, Not the Corrupt Capitalists!

The AJLPP urgently calls on the US Congress focused on the Senate to call a conference committee to pass the veterans bill, AJLPP West Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia announced.

In this regard the AJLPP supports the Justice for the Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) in its call for nationwide mass actions against blatant racism and struggle for for veteran rights.

Mass Actions in LA and San Francisco

On Friday, October 10, Los Angeles and San Francisco,scores of FilAm students and veterans with their alllies held their rallies in front of the Federal Building in the two cities for the veterans

The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Samahang Pilipino at UCLA led the more than a hundred rallyist in front of the monument to the Spanish –American War at the Westwood Federal building 11000 Wilshire, Los Angeles from 4 to 7 P.M.

"This monument proved that the United States occupied and colonized the Philippines from 1898 to 1946. Therefore the Filipinos were American soldiers when they fought in World War II. So nobody, and nobody can say that the Filipinos are not American soldiers. And it is unfair and unjust not to recognize them and treat them as mercenaries just what they did today. "

In San Francisco,more than 50 JFAV-San Francisco and veterans and student rallied in front of the Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Avenue in downtown area. They are pushing for the convening of the conference committee to reconcile the two separate bills S 1315 and HB 68097 in Congress.

The AJLPP calls on all Filipino American organization and mainstream allies to join the JFAV final push for recognition, justice and equity for 18,000 remaining and for the memory of the others who gave their lives for freedom and democracy.

“This fight is about racism and the Filipino veterans victimized by such racist laws since 1946 when the rescission act was passed. The unjust law excluded 250,000 Filipino veterans from receiving benefits and recognition that they deserved as American World War II veterans.

Again the US Congress passed SB 1315 that excluded the Filipino veterans and another house bill that excluides the widows and relatives and give them a quit claim that will give them one time money in exchange for a quit claim",

What do you call this measure if not brazen racism? Why can the US Congress can pass a $ 700 B bailout for the banks and the capitalist but not a single cent to elderly Filipino Veterans? Is this not racism and discrimination loud and clear? the AJLPP statement ended.

For more information contact Al P. Garcia, AJLPP West Coast Coordinator at (213)241-0995 or email at magsasakapil@hotmail.com or check out blogspot at alliancephilippines,blogspot,com