For Immediate Release:
Contact: Roy Recio 415-586-1678
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28th Year Eviction Commemoration
Former tenants, activists pay homage to historic I-Hotel Struggle
As it was in the heat of San Francisco's struggle for low-income senior housing, activists and tenants will rally at the site of Kearny and Jackson Streets in downtown San Francisco, just like they did in 1977. This time they will share in the revelry that will greet the long-awaited Grand Opening of the famed International Hotel.
Still, the scars from that horrific eviction on Aug. 4th some 28 years ago haven't completely healed.
"This is why we do this," said Emil De Guzman, president of the Manilatown Heritage Foundation and former leader of the International Hotel Tenants Association whose group staved off an eviction for nine years after its initial announcement in 1968. "The struggle would not be completely vindicated if we fail to recognize that lives and a vital community were lost."
On Thursday Aug. 4th. 2005 from 6pm to 9pm, the Manilatown Heritage Foundation will host a candle-light vigil paying tribute to the struggle that sparked Asian American activism and ignited community fight-back that pitted corporate development against poor immigrant communities. The same battle is wages at San Francisco City Hall today, particularly within the Filipino community.
The poetry of Al Robles will highlight the vigil ceremony that will also feature folk music by Asian American musician and artist Charlie Chin and performances by the South of Market's Galing Bata Filipino youth group. Former I-Hotel residents, which can be now be counted on two hands, such as Rudy Daga, Nes Aquino and Pete Yamamoto will be special guests.
Showing more than a few extra gray hairs, activists Belvin Louie, Bill Sorro, Pam Tau Lee and others from that original battle will also return to the historic site this evening.
"A lot of hard work went into making this happen. It's only fair that we recognize our pioneers, our Manongs." said Bill Sorro, vice president of MHF. "I think they would be proud that something so beautiful is going up in honor of their legacy to the community."
The candle light vigil opens a month-long list of events that include a premiere screening of "Rise of the I-Hotel," produced by Caroline Cabading, set for Saturday, Aug. 6th, at San Francisco's Main Library at
1pm. The new documentary film chronicles the struggle to rebuild the New International Senior Housing complex. August will conclude with the Grand Opening of the new building at 848 Kearny Street on Friday
Aug. 26th at 1pm. Senator Diane Feinstein is slated to attend.
The International Hotel was the final vestige of a once thriving Filipino enclave known as Manilatown that housed many Filipino immigrants after the turn of the century. These early immigrants endured harsh labor conditions, discrimination and prejudice in order to set the stage for future generations of Filipinos to arrive -- and thrive -- in the United States.
For more information: www.manilatown.org