From our sisters & brothers on the west...

Ruby De Vera won Her Discrimination Case in the Los Angeles City Council

Los Angeles --"It's a victory for Ruby ( De Vera), a Filipina, It is a
victory for the Filipino Community!"

The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) Coordinators Peping Baclig
and Arturo P. Garcia and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) Jack
Vergara today express elation that De Vera was vindicated. JFAV and EPCC
also hailed the decision of the Los Angeles City Council to award De Vera a
settlement of $ 125,000 for her lawsuit against discrimination and
injustice.

De Vera ran for District 14 council office that includes Eagle Rock.
Highland Park, El Sereno where there is a sizeable Filipino community. She
came out a strong 3rd placer among 12 candidates in 2005. She later was
fired as an office manager boss for "embarrassing his boss, Council Member
Ed Reyes" who supporter the winner.

She was awarded $ 125,000,00 settlement last week by the City of Los
Angeles. The Philippine News correspondent Yong Chavez reported in her
article in the US wide weekly paper for August 22-28.

Victory for the Community, Victory for Justice

The Los Angeles City Council voted 9-6 to award De Vera a compensatory
injunctive and punitive damages for labor code violations and discrimination
based on race/ethnic origin. De Vera has been working for the city for about
ten years when she was fired.

"It is a victory for the Filipino community" said De Vera. "This is not
about money, this is about principle", she told the Philippine media about
her case. She was represented by a known Filipina anti-discrimination
lawyer, Toni Jaramillo.

De Vera was active during the anti-martial law struggle against the
US-Marcos dictatorship and promoted Filipino community empowerment. She was
an active supporter of the Filipino World War II veterans struggle and was
also active advocate for the disabled community.

JFAV coordinator Peping Baclig, testified at the Los Angeles city council in
2005 to support De Vera for her claims of discrimination. De Vera ran in
District 14 where there is a large Filipino American population.

"We will always fight discrimination and systemic racism in any form and
way. This is a clear that victory inspires us. This is not only for Ruby but
also for all in the Filipino community who seeks justice. " JFAV coordinator
Garcia ended.