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JFAV Recognizes Community Support Crucial to Lump Sum Gain in Veterans' Equity
Scores of activists and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) gathered in a community forum held last Wednesday night, March 4 in Historic Filipinotown. They recognized the crucial role of community organizations especially the People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) who started the veterans struggle for equity 17 years ago and won some benefits including the lump sum in the Stimulus Law.
The well attended community forum was held at the Community Hall of Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. SIPA is one of the community organizations recognized that night.
SGS Commander Jack Vergara “ We thank all the community organizations, youth and students who stood with us. MABUHAY kayong lahat at ituloy ang laban!” He also recounted the veterans fight for liberation of the Philippines and struggle for equity in the United States in his remarks.
The well attended community forum was held at the Community Hall of Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. SIPA is one of the community organizations recognized that night.
SGS Commander Jack Vergara “ We thank all the community organizations, youth and students who stood with us. MABUHAY kayong lahat at ituloy ang laban!” He also recounted the veterans fight for liberation of the Philippines and struggle for equity in the United States in his remarks.
RECOGNIZE THE FILIPINO VETERANS NOW! JUSTICE AND EQUITY, NOW!
Media Release
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
March 9, 2009
JFAV RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRUCIAL TO LUMP SUM GAIN IN VETERANS EQUITY STRUGGLE
Los Angeles-- Scores of activists and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) gathered in a community forum held last Wednesday night, March 4 in Historic Filipinotown. They recognized the crucial role of community organizations especially the People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) who started the veterans struggle for equity 17 years ago and won some benefits including the lump sum in the Stimulus Law.
The well attended community forum was held at the Community Hall of Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. SIPA is one of the community organizations recognized that night.
SGS Commander Jack Vergara “ We thank all the community organizations, youth and students who stood with us. MABUHAY kayong lahat at ituloy ang laban!” He also recounted the veterans fight for liberation of the Philippines and struggle for equity in the United States in his remarks.
Veterans organizations were represented in the panel of speakers by Commander Jack Vergara of the Society of Guerillas and Scout(SGS); Mariano Pastorin of AWARE; Lulu Astilla also of AWARE. They thank all the organizations especially the youth and students for carrying the torch for them for the last 18 years of struggle.
HIT BELOW THE BELT
Veteran leader Mariano Pastorin likened the lump sum to a boxer who was hit below the belt. “ The American Congress knows the weakness of the Filipino veterans. They gave the money to silenced the struggle. But we will get the money but continue the fight. Kunin ang 15,000, Ituloy ang laban”
AWARE president Lulu Astilla. A widow of a USAFFE officer criticized the lump sum benefits by asking why the widows were left out. She said: “We too suffered. We waited for too long and suffered with our husbands. It is not their fault that they died while waiting. We must continue the struggle for justice.”
Nica Bautista and Michael Nailat represented JFAV in the panel. Steering committee of JFAV. Nica Joy Bautista read the JFAV stand prepared by Atty. Arnedo Valera , JFAV legal counsel. It was a letter to the editor sent out for all media outlets in the United States.
Michael Nailat and Arturo P. Garcia laid the salient points of the lump sum provisions of the ARRA or the Stimulus Law. They pointed out that while there is a quit claim and there is only implied recognition in the law, inequities still exist and we must continue the struggle for equity and justice.
Also present and recognized were Kabataang maka-BAYAN (KmB), GABRIELA NETWORK of the MARIPOSA ALLIANCE, Filipino Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR), HERE-UNITE, LAANE, ANSWER-LA, Samahang Pilipino of UCLA, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), FACLA, AJLPP and others.
MASS ACTION/ VETERANS OUTREACH
A mass action was called by the widows and relatives of the veterans who were left out in the benefits bill. It is slated at the INS Federal Building at 300 Los Angeles St. on Monday, March 9 at around 4:00 PM.
Assembly area is at SIPA 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026 at around 3:00 PM. Carpooling is encouraged.
JFAV also announced that they will also conduct outreach to veterans who need help in their application for benefits. The veterans are reminded that the application period is from Feb 17, 2009 to February 18, 20010.
Thee schedule of their offices / day of outreach is as follows in the Los Angeles area.:
1. People’s CORE - Mondays to Wednesdays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
1610 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
2. Filipino Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026
Thursday and Friday from 1:00 to 5;00 PM
Veterans must bring any proof of personality such as US/ or Philippine passport. VA access card or valid California ID .
For more information please call Arturo P. Garcia at (213) 241-0995 or email us at jfav_us [at] yahoo.com
Media Release
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
March 9, 2009
JFAV RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRUCIAL TO LUMP SUM GAIN IN VETERANS EQUITY STRUGGLE
Los Angeles-- Scores of activists and advocates led by the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) gathered in a community forum held last Wednesday night, March 4 in Historic Filipinotown. They recognized the crucial role of community organizations especially the People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) who started the veterans struggle for equity 17 years ago and won some benefits including the lump sum in the Stimulus Law.
The well attended community forum was held at the Community Hall of Search to Involve the Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles. SIPA is one of the community organizations recognized that night.
SGS Commander Jack Vergara “ We thank all the community organizations, youth and students who stood with us. MABUHAY kayong lahat at ituloy ang laban!” He also recounted the veterans fight for liberation of the Philippines and struggle for equity in the United States in his remarks.
Veterans organizations were represented in the panel of speakers by Commander Jack Vergara of the Society of Guerillas and Scout(SGS); Mariano Pastorin of AWARE; Lulu Astilla also of AWARE. They thank all the organizations especially the youth and students for carrying the torch for them for the last 18 years of struggle.
HIT BELOW THE BELT
Veteran leader Mariano Pastorin likened the lump sum to a boxer who was hit below the belt. “ The American Congress knows the weakness of the Filipino veterans. They gave the money to silenced the struggle. But we will get the money but continue the fight. Kunin ang 15,000, Ituloy ang laban”
AWARE president Lulu Astilla. A widow of a USAFFE officer criticized the lump sum benefits by asking why the widows were left out. She said: “We too suffered. We waited for too long and suffered with our husbands. It is not their fault that they died while waiting. We must continue the struggle for justice.”
Nica Bautista and Michael Nailat represented JFAV in the panel. Steering committee of JFAV. Nica Joy Bautista read the JFAV stand prepared by Atty. Arnedo Valera , JFAV legal counsel. It was a letter to the editor sent out for all media outlets in the United States.
Michael Nailat and Arturo P. Garcia laid the salient points of the lump sum provisions of the ARRA or the Stimulus Law. They pointed out that while there is a quit claim and there is only implied recognition in the law, inequities still exist and we must continue the struggle for equity and justice.
Also present and recognized were Kabataang maka-BAYAN (KmB), GABRIELA NETWORK of the MARIPOSA ALLIANCE, Filipino Americans for Immigration Reform (FAIR), HERE-UNITE, LAANE, ANSWER-LA, Samahang Pilipino of UCLA, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), FACLA, AJLPP and others.
MASS ACTION/ VETERANS OUTREACH
A mass action was called by the widows and relatives of the veterans who were left out in the benefits bill. It is slated at the INS Federal Building at 300 Los Angeles St. on Monday, March 9 at around 4:00 PM.
Assembly area is at SIPA 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026 at around 3:00 PM. Carpooling is encouraged.
JFAV also announced that they will also conduct outreach to veterans who need help in their application for benefits. The veterans are reminded that the application period is from Feb 17, 2009 to February 18, 20010.
Thee schedule of their offices / day of outreach is as follows in the Los Angeles area.:
1. People’s CORE - Mondays to Wednesdays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
1610 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
2. Filipino Community of Los Angeles (FACLA)
1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026
Thursday and Friday from 1:00 to 5;00 PM
Veterans must bring any proof of personality such as US/ or Philippine passport. VA access card or valid California ID .
For more information please call Arturo P. Garcia at (213) 241-0995 or email us at jfav_us [at] yahoo.com
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