December 10, 2021 (Toronto) – In the spirit of International Human Rights Day, members of the Philippine diaspora and supporters of human rights in the Philippines will be staging a rally on Sunday, December 12 in order to bring awareness to the ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines and present concrete demands to the Philippine government. This event at Bathurst-Wilson Parkette, in the heart of “Little Manila”, will highlight the nation’s history of atrocities under corrupt, tyrannical leaders and will challenge the potential continuation of dictatorial dynasties in the upcoming 2022 Philippine election.
Attendees will join a global chorus of pro-democracy and pro-justice voices who are critical of the recently announced partnership between Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte. The two are candidates for president and vice-president of the Philippines in the upcoming election on May 9, 2022.
Marcos Jr. is the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who headed the Philippines for twenty-one years from 1965 to 1986, with nine of those years as a dictator under martial law. Duterte is the daughter of current president Rodrigo Duterte who is under official investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in the form of his so-called “war on drugs” that attempts to legitimize extra-judicial killings conducted by the Philippine National Police and local constabulary. The southern region of Mindanao was also placed under martial law for over two and a half years during his term.
Considering the fundamental rights and freedoms for peaceful assembly, thought, and association that allow this rally to be held, it is important to note the many political dissidents, activists, journalists, and community leaders in the Philippines who faced – and continue to face – slander, imprisonment, kidnappings, beatings, and bullets for daring to participate in the struggle for justice and genuine democracy in the Philippines.
The rally is organized by BAYAN Canada and its member organizations Anakbayan Toronto and Migrante Ontario, as well as Malaya Canada, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Toronto (ICHRP-Toronto), and the Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization (CPSO). The programme will include speeches and performances from these and other organizations.
Location and Time:
Bathurst-Wilson Parkette
3749 Bathurst Street
December 12, 2021 at 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Media Contact:
Isabelle Espaldon
info@anakbayantoronto.com
Anakbayan Toronto 