Students and faculty gathered on the steps of the Rotunda Friday evening to honor and rally for the rights of Filipino World War II veterans during a candlelight vigil.
The vigil, sponsored by the Organization of Young Filipino Americans and the Asian Student Union, was part of a broader effort among East Coast schools to show support for Filipino veterans who do not receive deserved benefits from the U.S. government, University Assistant Dean of Students Daisy Rodriguez said.
ASU President Drew Austria spoke about the importance of honoring Filipino veterans to the crowd of about thirty-five people.
"We are here to remember the heroes of a forgotten generation," Austria said. "Tonight we call to correct the wrongs of our past."
In his presentation, Austria outlined the history of Filipino World War II veterans, who were promised veterans' benefits by President Franklin D. Roosevelt but have not yet received them.
"It's an issue of social justice," Austria said.
Some of the students who attended the vigil had a personal connection to the issue. OYFA Community Chair Corinne Abalos said she knew a Filipino World War II veteran who died without benefits.
"I feel like it's important to support a cause that directly affects people of my heritage," Abalos said.
Other students attended the event to become better educated about the subject.
"I'm here to learn more," Minority Rights Coalition Chair Adrienne Patton said. "I want to be informed. I want to take action."
The idea to hold the vigil originated at a Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue conference last weekend. Other schools held similar vigils last Friday, including Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University and The College of William & Mary, OYFA Vice President Aileen de Luna said.
ASU Vice President Michael Tan outlined a plan developed at the conference to promote awareness of the issue.
"The biggest problem is political apathy," Tan said. "The Filipino community is mostly unaware of the issue."
In order to combat perceived ignorance, ASU and OYFA plan to raise awareness in the University community, reach out to the Charlottesville community and other local organizations and take action by contacting congressmen to support current legislation to provide benefits to Filipino veterans.
Students were eager to get involved with the fight for Filipino veterans. Many signed a petition at the conclusion of the event in order to show their support for the fight for Filipino rights. Others said they plan to take further action.
"I plan on writing to various Congress members," Patton said. "They're lazy and need to be woken up"
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