AFT Leaders Mourn the Passing of CFT Vice President Kent Wong

WASHINGTON-AFT President Randi Weingarten, AFT Executive Vice President and presiding officer for the AFT Asian American and Pacific Islander Task Force Evelyn DeJesus, AFT Massachusetts President and AAPI Task Force Co-Chair Jessica Tang and AFT Local 1789 and AAPI Task Force Co-Chair Tracy Lai issued the following statement on the death of Kent Wong, a vice president of the CFT and former director of labor and community partnerships at the UCLA Labor Center:

AFT President Weingarten:

"Kent Wong was a fighter, a thinker-an educator whose compassion and sense of justice was always a beacon of light. Just a few months ago at the AFT's TEACH conference, Kent delivered a powerful message on how educators are resisting ICE raids, protecting immigrant families and mobilizing against fear and injustice. Kent never backed down from an opportunity to fight on behalf of immigrant and workers' rights. That's why the AFT proudly honored Kent with the Legacy Drum Major for Justice Award at our convention in 2022 for his extraordinary commitment to social justice, solidarity and the empowerment of working people everywhere.

"We are deeply saddened to share this news, and we extend our love and condolences to Kent's family, colleagues and students. Rest in power Kent."

AFT AAPI Taskforce:

"Kent was a beloved friend, visionary leader, historian and tireless champion for human rights, workers' rights and immigrant justice. Kent's life is a testament to what it means to dedicate oneself wholly to the struggle for dignity, equity and solidarity. His moral courage and unwavering belief in the power of organized people transformed lives and movements alike.

"As a founder and first president of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Kent helped build a lasting home for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander workers within the labor movement. Through his leadership at the UCLA Labor Center, he nurtured generations of organizers and educators, grounding their work in compassion, courage and collective action. As a historian, Kent's lifelong partnership with the Rev. James Lawson, the legendary civil rights strategist who worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., embodied the bridge between the labor and civil rights movements. Together, they trained thousands in the principles of nonviolent resistance and reminded us that the labor movement's moral authority lies in the fight for human dignity and justice for all.

"Finally, as a visionary, Kent looked forward and helped us imagine what is possible. His work with college students and other young leaders, particularly Dreamers, equipped hundreds of activists with lessons to put into action. These young adults-mentees of Kent-are pushing us and our movements forward. Kent helped establish the Dream Summer Program, an internship opportunity that the AFT has sponsored for years. This eight-week program embeds young activists in unions and nonprofits and is unique in the labor movement and AANHPI communities.

"We join our CFT and APALA family and the broader labor community in holding Kent's loved ones in our hearts. May we honor his legacy by continuing his fight for racial, economic and immigrant justice-with the same courage and conviction that defined his remarkable life. Rest in power, Brother Kent. Your light will never fade."

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.