November 20, 2005
-
There's a rally on the UC Davis quad tomorrow at 12:00 PM for some cowardly acts of vandalism against the Filipino American community. Read on:
Filipino American group's signs vandalized
Vandals have recently targeted Mga Kapatid, a Filipino American organization at UC Davis, defacing the club’s flag on four separate occasions.
Editor of the organization’s newsletter Alex Castro said Oct. 12 was the first date that Mga Kapatid was struck. He said he and other club members found an A-frame that held the Filipino flag unscrewed and turned upside down so the red part of the flag was on top instead of the blue, which represents times of war in the Filipino community.
“This really scared me because someone must know the meaning of doing something like this,” Castro said. “I was wondering if someone from my own community is responsible.”
Another act involves the removal of a Filipino flag from the Memorial Union on Oct. 20. On the same day, group members found another A-frame floating in the Arboretum river behind the theater.
“I feel so dishonored and so disrespected,” he said. “Even though it’s just a picture of a flag, it is my flag and my community that is being hurt.”
Last Wednesday, Castro reported finding another A-frame in the truck of a UC Davis Grounds vehicle that had been burned and disassembled.
Castro said he reported these acts to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs at UC Davis but was only able to file a testimony until suspects are determined. He said he is planning on taking this issue to the UC Davis Police Department and possibly the Davis Police Department.
Considering the weight of an A-frame, Castro said there must be more than one suspect, because it would have been impossible for one person to carry an A-frame alone.
He said the organization is planning on taking down the remaining A-frames to avoid other acts of vandalism.
“I think as a Davis community, we need to unite and not let actions like this happen because it is so disrespectful,” he said. “This is an action against a person’s nationality and identity and that is unacceptable.”
Students with any additional information regarding the vandalism of Mga Kapatid can contact SJA at 752-1128.
LAUREN BECKER can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com.
Comments (2)
that's absolutely unbelievable.
i had no idea this was going on in Davis. it's so hurtful and offensive.
Comments are closed.