Justice for Filipino American Vets

During World War II, over 260,000 Filipinos were drafted or volunteered to join the US Armed Forces to fight against Japanese Imperialism. Accordingly, they were promised the same health and pension benefits as their fellow American soldiers. But in 1946, the Rescission Act was signed exclusively denying Filipinos the benefits rightfully owed to them, their wives, and children.

Since this racist law was passed, our Filipino-American veterans and their families have been unrecognized and had their military benefits exclusively annulled for 71 years. Justice delayed is justice denied. The number of veterans and widows dwindles and the generational gap widens every year.

Over the years, veterans, their families, and other advocates have been fighting to reverse the Rescission Act. The successes we have had are small and few, often completely excluding widows and children. Time is not on our side as these elderly veterans are sadly passing away.

Marking the 17th Annual JFAV March and 71 years since the passing of the Rescission Act, we have taken the streets from Historic Filipinotown to Downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood, and time is not on our side. Rally against this racist law that denies and discriminates against our veterans, widows, and families. Demand full equity and recognition now!

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) is a nationwide alliance of Filipino World War II Veterans organizations, youth, students, and community advocates based in the United States.

JFAV Justice League is the working committee that meets monthly to organize the march and next steps throughout the year. Send inquiry if you are interested to contribute.

DEMANDS
1. The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act must be passed by the congressional veterans committee immediately and moved to the House or Senate accordingly. Since 1993, this will be the subject of the reconciled bill that the veterans want. That is, a single unified reconciled bill must be signed into a law in 2018. Filipino veterans’ wartime services should be recognized and deemed as active service. Eliminate the distinction between the Regular or "Old" Philippine Scouts, “New “ Philippine Scouts and the remaining three groups of veterans: Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, Recognized Guerrilla Forces, and New Philippine Scouts.

2. Survivors and children of Filipino veterans should be eligible for the Survivors Pension Benefit otherwise known as the Death Pension like the families of all U.S. veterans. In addition, veterans should be eligible for pension for nonservice-connected disability like all other U.S. veterans. 

3. Lump sum under ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) should only be an additional benefit and there will be no quit claim attached to their benefits. All additional benefits should not be taxable and their other benefits should remain.

Written and online petitions will be made available prior to the march and on-site.

We have tier benefits for our individual donors! You will get the highest applicable tier and everything below

■ $5
● Shout out on social media + march

■ $25
● Thank you card signed by veterans
● Picture of march
● Shirt

■ $50
● Vintage JFAV shirt 

■ $100
● Signed Al Vintage Placard (limited to 10)

■ $200
● Ride in jeepney w/ veterans at march (limit to 2
people)
● Book signed by Arturo P. Garcia (3 books total)