JFAV UPDATES
March 15, 2015

JFAV STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY TO UC IRVINE ASUCI

To whom it may concern:

We, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), a national organization of Filipino World War II veterans, widows, relatives and advocates based in the United States militantly stands in solidarity with the Kababayan at UC Irvine, are in solidarity with the 6 Legislative Council representatives of the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) that are being shamed and ostracized by the campus authorities on the University of California (UCI), Irvine campus.

We cannot tolerate Chancellor Gillman and the Administration’s failure to provide an atmosphere where students are allowed to respect one another and share their views freely. It’s an irony that we fought for freedom and had sacrificed our lives and the fortunes of our nation just to witness such brazen intolerance and brazen chauvinism against our youth and students.

We, in the JFAV expresses concerned with the safety of the legislative council members, which are UC Irvine students, as well as the safety of the UCI community.

We, in JFAV cannot permit this blatant disregard and disrespect to basic civil and human rights like what the Nazi’s used in Europe and what the Japanese Imperial fascist did to our country during their brutal three years occupation of the Philippines. We fought for the flag. Lost more than one million people and had our whole nation ravaged thus, we will defend the rights of the students and youth to determine what they like to do to that flag for it is the essence of democracy.

Some of us might not agree on their decision for the sentimental reason that we fought for that flag but we are united in the respect for their right for self-determination in their own space and time. That is the essence of democracy and what America stands for, not for the fascist or Nazi type– the intolerant, highly discriminative and bigoted way.

This use of intimidation tactics, as a means to intimidate the students [who are already receiving an overwhelming amount of livid commentary and harassment online] is unbelievable.

It reminds us of the 14 years of Marcos martial law and dictatorship that the US government supported. We are concerned that the lack of support from our Administration has caused a rift and divide among the student body.

We, the JFAV National Committee wholeheartedly support the UC demand that the UC System and the UCI Administration protects the legislative council members as well as every individual that attends this University. Please do not let our sacrifices for freedom and democracy come to naught and escalate racism and foment racial divide by this acts of discrimination and brazen bigotry

Arturo P. Garcia
National Coordinator
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
Los Angeles

March 12, 2015

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