Press Release
20 March 2008

Filipino-American Youth unite to say DUMP CORRUPTION in the Philippines!

Reference: Steven Raga, Regional Coordinator; BAYAN USA-North East
Contact Info: BAYANUSA.NorthEast@gmail.com

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU0yWubHvhU

New York City, NY – On Friday March 14, Filipino Youth leaders from the New York City area convened in the heart of the Filipino Community in Woodside, Queens to call attention to the rampant corruption of the current Philippine government headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The BAYAN USA North East organizations Anakbayan NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights & Empowerment (FiRE), and New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP) were joined by Sandiwa National Fil-Am Alliance, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), Kapatirang Pilipino and Philippine Forum Youth. The mobilization coincided with the national protest action against corruption in the Philippines, with thousands of supporters flooding the streets of Manila, Davao and other areas throughout the nation.

This was the 4th week in a row that these organizations participated in an action to call an end to corruption from the Philippine government and also to strongly insist that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo step down from her office. Danielle Galan, President of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey stated "It is an amazing sight to see an action led by the youth of the local Filipino & Filipino American organizations in New York & New Jersey to jointly call an end to corruption all the way back home. It truly shows that even though we are in the United States, we are one with the struggle back home. Moreover, I believe it demonstrates that the future of our nation is in safe hands."

The mobilization was also attended by many women from Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), which is a founding member of GABRIELA-USA. Valerie Francisco, Secretary General for FiRE explained "We need to realize as young people and as women that the United States is the puppet master behind the Philippine government, and the puppet is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. We as Filipinas in the US are stomping our foot down and calling for President Arroyo to step down! "
 

New York City police officers tried to break up the peaceful demonstration, but their presence only ignited the fervor of the youth leaders, leading to louder chants and powerful speeches all across the board. After the event, many passing members of the Fil-Am community thanked the youth members that were involved in the rally, especially the NAFCON contingent, who ceremonially gave GMA the "Best Cheater" Award for 2008.►
 

BAYAN-USA is an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S. representing organizations of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. As the only international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S.
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