A National Call to Action Following the April 2025 Lapu-Lapu Day Attack in Vancouver

This was more than a tragedy—it was a stark reminder of how vulnerable our communities remain. What should have been a joyful cultural gathering instead exposed deep gaps in public safety, emergency preparedness, and systemic support for racialized, immigrant, and visible minority communities.

We were there to celebrate culture, community, and joy. Families, elders, youth, newcomers—people from all backgrounds came together in the spirit of Bayanihan. But the violence that struck that day turned a place of celebration into a scene of fear, grief, and heartbreak. And in the days that followed, we kept hearing the same thing: “Filipinos are resilient.”

Yes, we are. We’ve always shown strength in the face of hardship. But resilience should not be the price of being ignored. It is not a replacement for safety, justice, or investment in our communities.

This isn’t just about one incident or one group. The victims were diverse. The impact rippled across cultures. What happened exposed a national failure—of mental health coordination, public safety planning, and support for racialized and immigrant communities.

We are tired of being praised for surviving while systems fail to protect us. We want prevention, not just recovery. Dignity, not just sympathy. Concrete action, not just comforting words.

We are calling for federal policies that listen to lived experiences, fund grassroots solutions, and make all communities safer—not just during moments of tragedy, but every single day.

That’s why we’re speaking up. That’s why we’re asking you to join us.

This petition is supported by:
Filipino Canadian Social & Community Workers Network (FCSCWN)
Filipino-Canadian Civic Action Network (FCCAN)
Tech2Step Network Canada

BE A SUPPORTER:
 
We invite societies, grassroots networks, coalitions, cultural organizations, centres, councils, associations, and not-for-profits—especially those supporting racialized, immigrant, and visible minority communities across Canada—to join our calls to action. Allies are welcome too.

Please complete this form.