Filipinos for Affirmative Action (FAA)
In the wake of 9/11, hundreds of Filipino workers lost their jobs at the Oakland airport due to new unfounded anti-terrorist laws and regulations. Filipino airport screeners were hit especially hard and in some cases multiple members of the same family were fired.
During World War II, when the Philippines was still a colony of the US, President Roosevelt, inducted Filipinos “into the service of the American armed forces.” Filipinos were promised all the benefits of American veterans and many served proudly. However, immediately following WW II, the Rescission Act of 1946 was passed denying most Filipinos veteran benefits. They continue to be denied equal status despite having been granted eligibility for US Citizenship in 1992.
Recently, a 82-year old Filipino man made the difficult and heart-breaking decision to return to the Philippines after he and thirteen of his co-workers at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Emeryville were singled out for scrutiny during a review of employment documents. He said he was simply too old to endure ICE’s intimidation tactics.
These are just some examples of every day realities that Filipinos for Affirmative Action (FAA) addresses – workers and immigrant rights, immigration policy, federal legislation and civic engagement.
The Filipino community in the Bay Area continues to be predominantly newcomer and is approximately 65% foreign-born. FAA helps to build networks of support between recent immigrants and long time US residents; between inner city youth and WWII veterans; and between unionized and non-unionized workers.
FAA’s advocacy for homecare workers and Oakland Airport employees entails a creative strategy of working with and often across various worker organizations such as PAWIS (Peoples’ Association of Workers and Immigrants) and SEIU 1877. In addition to providing direct services, FAA also contributes to policy reform on immigrant and low-wage worker issues.
FAA’s works with various coalitions across the Bay Area such as BAIRC and the Mobilize the Immigrant Vote Campaign (MIV) in order to influence legislation impacting immigrants and people of color, and to change the face of California’s electorate.
FAA’s civic engagement work also includes supporting the Filipino Veterans Equity Act (HR670) that would finally recognize Filipino Veterans. Other efforts include fair immigration reform, and youth-led organizing campaigns to increase resources for violence prevention programs.
At the helm, is Lillian Galedo who has been at FAA for 27 of the organization’s 34 years. FAA has been a member of BAIRC since our first membership drive. Lillian and her staff work with BAIRC in many capacities and she is always at the table to lend support and help BAIRC accomplish its mission. We are fortunate to have FAA on board at BAIRC, and to have the leadership and vision of activists like Lillian.
Mabuhay (long-live) FAA!!
