TORONTO RALLY ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, AGAINST PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

Never again to Martial Law!
Defend the rights of the Filipino people!

Photo from rally commemorating EDSA 1 in the Philippines, Friday, February 24.
Courtesy of Arkibong Bayan .

Dear Friends,

As progressive Filipino-Canadians, we condemn Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's declaration of a State of Emergency" in the Philippines last February 24, 2006. Arroyo made the declaration on the 20th anniversary of People Power 1 as thousands gathered at the EDSA shrine.

As a desperate measure to stay in power and to quell the growing Oust Arroyo movement, Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo once again proves her willingness to terrorize the broad masses and impose an all-out war against the Filipino people. It is through this declaration that the Arroyo regime will continue to wreak havoc in the country by suppressing people's democratic rights, intensifying human rights violations, and implementing more fascist, anti-people policies.

The warrantless arrest of Anakpawis Partylist Representative Crispin (Ka Bel) Beltran, the government closure of Daily Tribune, and the arrests of other rallyists yesterday point to a martial law environment that is perpetuated by the fascist, corrupt and fake Arroyo regime. We call on all peace-loving, progressive and democratic organizations and individuals to be vigilant in defending our people's democratic and human rights.

We, overseas Filipinos, women, workers and youth, call for an urgent show of support and solidarity for the Filipino people by joining us at a rally at 3 p.m., Monday February 27, 2006, in front of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto, 161 Eglinton Avenue East (Eglinton & Redpath).

We need your solidarity and support as thousands of people in the Philippines are marching in the streets to call for President Arroyo's ouster, despite the threat of dispersal and more arrests that now looms because of the declaration of State of Emergency.

For more information, contact: Joy C. Sioson (Philippine Women Centre of Ontario - 416-878-8772; pwcontario@yahoo.ca; Ricky Esguerra (Philippine Network for Justice and Peace - 416-418-1577; justpeacenet@yahoo.com; Marco Luciano (SIKLAB Ontario - siklab_ontario@yahoo.ca).

Philippine Women Centre of Ontario
SIKLAB Ontario (Advance, Uphold the Rights of Overseas Filipino Workers)
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance - Toronto Chapter (UKPC/FCYA-TO)
Philippine Network for Justice and Peace