Activists from BAYAN Canada and allies in Toronto peacefully held a silent protest at the Philippine Consulate General Office in preparation for the United People’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Toronto on July 21st, 2019.
Yesterday, July 19th, 2019, at around 1 PM, the Philippine Consulate office in Toronto, Canada was caught by surprise when Anakbayan Toronto community members and allies carrying placards that said “Stop The Killings in the Philippines!” silently walked inside the consulate office for a few minutes and handed out flyers with information about the ongoing state backed human rights violations in the Philippines before being forcefully escorted out by Philippine consular staff.
The silent protest surprised the Philippine Consulate staff and personnel who subsequently reacted aggressively. The silent protest comes three days before the scheduled People’s State of the Nation Address that is being organized by global activists calling for the Ouster of Philippine President Duterte.
“It is important to show resistance and make a presence at the consulate today because the youth are under attack. The human rights violations has alarmingly increased to 30,000 targeting youth activists such as 22-year old student Ryan Hubilla of Karapatan” says Aisha Kaalim, member of Anakbayan Toronto.
The semi-colonial and semi-feudal society that has shaped our curriculum keep the Filipino youth with limited opportunities. It drives youth overseas as K-12 curriculum is in line with the Labour Export Policy that leads to over 6,000 Filipinos to leave the country every day.
“As the youth becomes the victim of Duterte’s war on the poor, the youths must also be militant in challenging the government and be critical of Duterte’s administration,” Kaalim added.
Filipino youth who organized the protest commit to raise awareness about the increasing human rights violations in the Philippines. Anakbayan Toronto and other mass organizations under BAYAN Canada will be protesting this coming Sunday, July 21st at Bathurst St. and Wilson St. as part of the global movement calling for the ouster of Pres. Duterte. The protest, dubbed “United Peoples State of the Nation Address” which will start at 4PM, features speakers from various sectoral mass organizations on the situation of their respective sectors under the Duterte regime.
MALAYA Canada, a group of Filipino-Canadian immigrants, will also be attending the protest to present their 6 Points of Unity in seeking justice and democracy in the Philippines. Find the event here, https://www.facebook.com/events/693848587703293/.
#PeoplePowerNa
#DefendPH
#LabanBayan
#AtinAngPinas
#OustDuterte
To learn more about Anakbayan Toronto find us via:
Email: info@anakbayantoronto.com
Instagram: @anakbayan.toronto
Twitter: @anakbayanto
Website: anakbayantoronto.com
Other protests throughout the country are happening tomorrow, July 21st, 2019 in Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal, info below.
Vancouver
2pm Rally
Joyce – Collingwood Station
5099 Joyce St
https://www.facebook.com/events/2334245676894505/
Edmonton
People’s Forum
Ottawa
12-1 Rally and March
ByWard Market Entrance
115 Rideau St
https://www.facebook.com/events/471653960069249/
Montreal
6:30pm Migrants Mass & Rally
Parc Mackenzie-King
40907, avenue Saint-Kevin
https://www.facebook.com/events/2306209786135492/
Anakbayan Toronto 