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July 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
All systems go for bigger class walkouts on July 18
Youth call on public to 'rise up' vs. price hikes, join People's SONA
Member organizations, student councils and campus publications under youth
alliance Youth ACT Now! (Youth for Accountability and Truth Now!) held a
press conference today at the University of the Philippines in Diliman to
announce participation in the National Youth Action Day set on July 18.
The nationwide youth action will be the second coordinated nationwide
action of different youth and student groups after their successful Youth
Action Day last July 10.
Class walkouts vs. price hikes
Students from UP, PUP, UST, Adamson, FEU, De La Salle, College of St.
Benilde, Lyceum, Letran, PLM, Trinity University, PCU, GAUF, St.
Scholastica, Mapua, UP Manila, Jose Rizal University, TIP, PSBA, Ateneo de
Manila, Miriam College, Sta. Isabel, PNU, St. Paul University, Arellano
University, EARIST and MLQU will be sending their contingents to the July
18 youth rally.
High school students from different public schools will also participate
in the action.
Earlier today, some 50 high school students picketed the Department of
Education regional office in Quezon City decrying the effects of price
hikes on the education sector.
Multi-sectoral youth
The student protesters will be joined by organizations led by the National
Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the
Philippines, Student Christian Movement, Kabataang Pinoy, League of
Filipino Students, Anakbayan, KARATULA, Gabriela-youth, Liga ng Kabataang
Moro, League of Students for the Environment, Youth Revolt, Kristiyanong
Kabataan para sa Bayan, peasant group NNARA-youth and Bayan Muna-youth, as
well as out-of-school youth from urban poor communities around Metro
Manila.
Rise up!
The youth protesters will be holding simultaneous walkout protests in
their respective schools and areas by lunch time of July 18 before
converging in Plaza Miranda for a 'festival of protest' with the theme, 'Kabataan
at bayan, mag-aklas! (Youth and people, rise up!)'.
The youth protesters will reiterate their demands to scrap the VAT on oil
and petroleum products and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law. They will also
appeal for higher wages for their parents and enjoin the public to hold
the Arroyo administration accountable for corruption and state neglect.
The main program will feature rap acts, graffiti artists and rock bands.
First Quarter Storm veterans will also share the stage with student and
youth leaders.
From Plaza Miranda, the youth protesters will march towards Mendiola
Bridge.
The Youth Action Day will culminate with a torch parade towards Mehan
Garden in Manila where a rock concert will ensue.
Nationwide
Students from schools and universities in Southern Tagalog are also
expected to come to Manila to join the protests.
Protest actions and activities are also set in Metro Baguio, Davao City,
Negros and Cebu.
More and bigger youth protests are expected to snowball in time for the
People's SONA on July 28. ###
Reference:
Vencer Crisostomo, LFS Chairperson, 09228262606
Sarah Katrina Maramag, CEGP Deputy Secretary General, 09193486790
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