On March 10, we celebrate what would’ve been the 31st birthday of Filipino American veteran, Angelo Quinto. On December 23, 2020, Antioch police officers responded to Angelo’s mental health crisis with excessive use of force. Angelo pleaded for his life and died at the hands of the Antioch Police Department (APD) through the carotid hold, the same knee-to-neck restraint used on George Floyd.

NAFCON USA joins the API communities across the US in mourning and decrying the sudden and violent deaths of Asian-Americans in Atlanta who were the latest victims of hate crimes and senseless attacks against people of color. We grieve with their families over their loss and share the same history of racist violence, discrimination, and segregation. We vow to work with the aggrieved families and all people who seek justice and an end to systemic racism.

J-1 workers are foreign hospitality workers in the US, majority of whom were recently laid off while others have had their hours cut due to the pandemic. Many did not finish their program while some did not even get to start. With no savings, needing to pay off debt they incurred from excessive program fees, and afraid of potential health risks posed by traveling, they are hesitant to fly back home at this time. Let us support the J-1 workers!