Sweet Tomatoes Fundraiser

Independence’s 5th Annual PCN

Have you heard of the Mabuhay Cultural Club?  If not, they’re the Filipino Club at Independence High School, one of Akbayan’s external affiliates of our K.A.A.M.P. program.  Our on-going relationship with this organization has begun since they were first established in 2003, and we’ve always helped when it came to making them a top-notch organization.

The club will be holding its 5th Annual Pilipino Cultural Night this Saturday night at their gym, and it would really make the kids happy to see their Kuyas and Ates of Akbayan show up.  So if you’ve got nothing to do Saturday night, check out Mabuhay’s PCN–their format is nearly identical to ours, so if you’ve never watched a PCN before, this is the perfect opportunity!

Also, we’re still taking kuyas and ates to mentor the kids at Independence, so if you’re interest in getting an “Inde Ading,” get at our K.A.A.M.P. Coordinator at missmferrer@yahoo.com.

AK Ballers

Akbayan’s Poker Tournament

For those of you who didn’t have a chance to stop by our annual poker tournament, here are some snapshots of the event.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Magandang araw, Akbayan members! Here are a few pictures from our Know Your Rights Workshop on February 12th held by Marlo Custodio.

For those of you who weren’t able to get your hands on a copy of Akbayan’s 4th issue of the ANO Newsletter, here is the article about Marlo Custodio and his family. Please read on.

On February 5th, 2007, a Filipino Youth Coalition student, Marlo Custodio, his brother, Romel Custodio, and his mother, Marilou Custodio became victims of police brutality motivated by the racial profiling of Marlo Custodio who was peacefully sharing a meal with a friend while parked at man-made lake in Evergreen Valley area.

- Marlo was choked and dragged out of his vehicle and later tasered after he was already compliant.

- After arriving to the scene, Romel was beaten and tasered multiple times, and Marilou’s head was slammed three times against a police vehicle.

- Marilou was later frisked and searched by two male officers without the presence of a female officer.

To cover up these blatant acts of racial profiling, use of excessive force, and ignoring SJPD protocols, all three family members were then charged with resisting, delaying, and obstructing a police officer. Justice has been delayed for 2 years and continues today.

As March is Women’s History Month, show your support and solidarity for a mother whose family and herself have been terrorized and forced to deal with a corrupt system that continues to postpone justice. Join Filipino Community Support, Silicon Valley (FOCUS, SV) for an event to raise funds for Marilou Custodio and a community program highlighting the pursuit of justice for women everywhere.

For more information about FOCUS – SV, the Justice for Custodio Campaign, or to volunteer for the event please contact Noemi at teppang_noe@yahoo.com or (408)307-6717

Dancing with the Seniors

1st General Meeting (SP09)

Winter Formal

Sure, I know what you’re thinking.. Winter Formal was soooo last year! But here are some of the lovely pictures from our event entitled “Blast from the Past”.

If you have any photos you would like to share from any of our events, feel free to send them to Valerie Redrico at vj_redrico@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Events!

Welcome Back!

We hope everyone had a great winter break! Now it’s time to get back to business. Oh, what fun-filled events Akbayan has planned for you members! Be sure to come by the table (this week we will be at TABLE 6 ) to say hello and pick up your Akbayan general meetings calendar! That’s all for now, but stay tuned and we hope you have a wonderful start to your second semester!