Event honors memory of Fil-Am shot and killed by white supremacist

Lilian Ileto, mother of slain 39-year-old postal worker Joseph Ileto, is supported by her daughters, Carmina, left, and Raquel, right, as they leave funeral services Saturday, Aug. 14, 1999, at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

LOS ANGELES – The Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) has announced its event honoring the memory of Filipino American postal worker Joseph Ileto, who was shot and killed by a white supremacist.

Ileto was delivering mail in a Los Angeles neighborhood on Aug. 10, 1999 when he was shot and killed by Buford O. Furrow Jr.

A white supremacist, Furrow had opened fire on five people at the Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills before encountering Ileto, who was working as a mail carrier in Chatsworth, Calif.

He shot Ileto nine times and later told investigators that the postal worker was a good “target of opportunity” to kill because he was of Filipino descent and worked for the federal government.

During United Against Hate Week, AJSOCAL announced that its 41st Anniversary Gala, dubbed “Unite in Action,” on Oct. 10 will commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Ileto’s murder. They will also hold an in-memoriam tribute to Ileto’s mother, Lillian, for her anti-violence advocacy.

That tribute includes performances by actors/recording artists Jennifer Paz and Anthony Fedorov.

The 2024 Public Image Award will be awarded to Fil-Am entertainment executive Fritz Friedman for his decades-long commitment to celebrating AAPI representation. Award-winning Fil-Am actor Lou Diamond Phillips will present Friedman with his award.

Fritz Friedman / CONTRIBUTED

Mental health professional and LGBTQIA+ activist Eddy Gana will be receiving the 2024 Joseph Ileto Courage Award, which annually recognizes unsung heroes for exceptional courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

Executive Director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) Kimmy Maniquis and wife of the late Eric Swing, Ellen Rodgriguez Swing, will present Gana with their award.

The event, to be emceed by journalist David Ono at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, will bring together American Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders in civil rights, social justice, public office, business, entertainment and the arts.

“In our 41st year, AJSOCAL is remembering Lillian Ileto’s tireless dedication to the fight against anti-Asian hate in the wake of her son Joseph’s tragic murder,” said AJSOCAL CEO Connie Chung Joe.

“It’s hard to believe that mass shooting in the San Fernando Valley by a White Supremacist was 25 years ago. While we as a nation have made strides toward awareness and understanding, today, anti-Asian hate is still poisonous and under-reported. We want our people and allies to continue to work toward equity and acceptance.”

For more information about the 41st Anniversary Gala and ticketing details, visit AJSOCAL’s website.