Makibaka! Huwag Matakot! Fight Duterte’s Fascist Dictatorship!
People’s State of the Nation Address 2020
Nearly 1500 Take to the Streets Across the US
On July 27th in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) to millions of Filipino families in the archipelago and thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who have been enduring neglect, brutality, and his opportunistic power moves in the midst of a global health crisis still yet to be resolved. In response, the Malaya Movement and BAYAN USA, co-hosted this year’s People’s State of the Nation Address (PSONA) in 14 US cities from Boston to Honolulu under the theme: “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot! Fight Duterte’s Fascist Dictatorship!”.
Nearly 1500 Filipinos and allies joined car caravans, protest rallies, and other activities to expose the true state of a Duterte-led Philippines. Ahead of national PSONA protests, the Malaya Movement and BAYAN USA released the Declaration of People’s Demands Against Duterte’s Dictatorship condemning state terror and repression in the face of inadequate government support to health workers, OFWs, and critical food/financial aid to poor, working class families especially hit with unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PSONA protests coincided with nationwide rallies in the Philippines as Filipinos around the globe have called for the repeal of Duterte’s Anti-Terror Law (ATL), officially Republic Act 11479 or “The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020”. In Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Filipinos demanded transparency from the Philippine Embassy and their local Philippine Consulates with regard to partnerships with the Philippine National Police, and their roles in implementing the ATL’s “Extraterritorial Application” (Section 49) to Filipinos in the US critical of Duterte and the Philippine Government.
After four years of failed campaign promises, worsening impoverishment, repression, and violence, Filipinos worldwide have had enough! Our families, friends, and fellow kababayan in the Philippines are now facing the highest unemployment rate ever recorded resulting in 7.3M jobless Filipinos, the largest national debt amount of ₱9.05 Trillion, and a higher number of recorded COVID-19 infections (85,486 as of 7/29) than that of China–despite China having a population 12 times larger!
The call to join the struggle and overcome our fears rings louder. Now, more than ever, let us further strengthen our unity and resolve to oppose Duterte’s dictatorship until the defeat of fascism.
Today and beyond, our unified voice shall resound louder: Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!
Sign the Declaration of People’s Demands vs. Duterte’s Dictatorship!
Join the Malaya Movement and become a member today
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