Media Advisory

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

March 29,2008

Pass the Equity Bill First Before Talking About Tibet-JFAV

Los Angeles-- “ Compensate the Filipino World War II veterans. Pass the Equity Bill first and do Justice to the Veterans, before you speak of justice and freedom in Tibet.”

This was the suggestion the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), a California based alliance of youth, veterans and community groups pushing justice and equity to Republican Senator John McCain and Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the U.S. Congress.

Arturo P. Garcia, JFAV Coordinator said: “When the leaders of the US Congress speaks of freedom in far-away countries like Tibet in China, while perpetuating injustice in America, it is just playing plain politics. Tend to your own first. Give justice to Filipinos who were marginalized for 62 years and then speak for the freedom for others later. “

The U. S. Congress and pro-Tibet forces was strongly criticized by the Chinese government for meddling in the current Tibetan crisis. The pro-Tibet forces have been very vocal about the protests in Tibet comparing it to the Tienanmen Square incident in 1989 and are calling for the boycott of the August Beijing Olympics.

Senator McCain and Pelosi both spoke up forcefully against the Chinese government and met with the Dalai Lama in India. Pelosi used to support the Filipino Veterans Equity bill when she was not yet the speaker of the house. While McCain is not supporting the equity bill.



The House of Representatives is still waiting for the US Senate to finish the floor debates and then approve the Veterans equity bill on the floor later. Meanwhile JFAV detest the fact that Pelosi and others are playing politics elsewhere.

For more information about the jfav call( Al P. Garcia at (213)241-0906 or email@jfav_causa@yahoo.com