LOS ANGELES RALLY AGAINST RESCISSION ACT, FEBRUARY 19

Los Angeles— MONEY FOR FILIPINO VETERANS, NOT FOR WAR!

ALL WE WANT IS JUSTICE, ALL WE WANT IS EQUITY!

Despite the inclement weather, the militant slogans from the Filipino World War II Veterans, students, youth and community members reverberated along Los Angeles Street in front of the INS Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles as scores of activist rallied for one and a half hours last uesday, February 19 to mark the 62nd year of the infamous Rescission Act of 1946.

The rallyist, were led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV),caravanned to the INS Federal building escorted by more than a platoon of bicycle riding LAPD men. The caravan of cars started from Lake Street Park in Historic Filipinotown around 10;00 in the morning.

Filipino World War II veterans Franco Arcebal and Nick Gadia spoke during the rally. Samahang Pilipino President Nick De Ocampo read the JFAV statement calling for recognition of Filipino veterans. Joseph Felix also of Samahang Pilipino,Zara Bukirin of JFAV and Ernest Tamayo of KmB lead the militant chanting. Mike Nailat of SIPA ended the two hour picket-rally by thanking the participants and their organizations.

Remembering the Rescission Act of 1946

Earlier less than a hundred people composed of youth and students as well as community folks commemorated the enactment of the Rescission Act of 1946 with an educational forum at Lake Street park Community Center on February 18,2008.

Speakers like Mel Ilomin representing Senator Gil Cedillo, Muna Cobtee of ANSWER-LA and John Perez, a Latino community leaders spoke about social justice and the movement for equity. They all supported the crusade for recognition, justice and equity.

Veteran leader Peping Baclig gave the opening remarks while JFAV leader Arturo Garcia and UHW-West Vice President Jay Valencia introduced the guest speakers, Muna Cobtee and John Perez. Ernest Tamayo acted as the emcee

Veteran leader Franco Arcebal, JFAV’s Mike Nailat and Arturo Garcia and Fr. Rene De Guzman of the Sanctuary Movement handled the action planning workshop. Zara Bukirin, Emily Chan and Paolo Espiritu handled the beginners workshop one equity and justice issues.

The groups that participated in the rally were JFAV. Samahang Pilipino UCLA, Calpoly Pamona. Long Beach, Carson, People’s CORE, SIPA, SPACE, KmB-Pro People Youth, SGSI and ACFV.

For more information about jfav please call Al P. Garcia at (213)241-0995 or email at jfav_causa@yahoo.com