By: Migrante BC
IN PICTURES and VIDEOS:
On September 20, Migrante BC and BAYAN with other community groups in Vancouver organized a Press Conference at the Metrotown Banquet Hall in Burnaby which gathered representatives from community organizations of migrants, youth, academe, and community leaders. The press conference announced the actions on Sept 21, the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law, and register the people’s protest against the widespread corruption in the flood control projects. The press conference drew the connections between the martial law regime under Marcos Sr and the current socio-economic crises.
Speakers at the press conference were: UBC professor Nora Angeles and a Bulakena, Darla Tomeldan of the Pinoy Pride Vancouver Society, Amado Mercado Jr of the Filipino Canadian Construction Society & Leni-Kiko Coalition Vancouver, Kevin Quicho of Anakbayan BC Youth, Beth Dollaga of Kairos & ICHRP, Amado Mercado III of ATOM, August 12 Movement & Ateneo de Manila University, Ago Pedalizo of Full Accountability Now (FAN), and Marc Perez, poet, Migrante BC & Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanankaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA). Diane Zapata, Migrante BC Vice Chair facilitated the press conference.
The Press Conference can be viewed here —
On September 21, Sunday, St. Mary the Virgin South Hill-Anglican Church held the Migrante Mass with Migrante BC which also marked the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines. Rev. Expedito Farinas led the prayers and the lighting of candles at the memorial altar for the lives lost during the martial law years.
Father Expedito Farinas: “As we honour today our brother and sisters, our members of our families and friends who were tortured, missing, and killed during the black days of Martial Law in the Philippines. There were students, church leaders, labour leaders, organized labourers, farmers, fishermen, poor and marginalized who recognized and accepted the call of the Lord, who laboured in the vineyards seeking long and lasting peace in their homeland. They were defenders of their faith and defenders of the people’s rights. We honour them today.“
After the mass and fellowship at the church, parishioners, members of Migrante BC, Anakbayan BC, Sulong UBC, allies, community members and friends started the march from St. Mary the Virgin Church to 41st Avenue and Fraser St. for Alay-Lakad: Laban sa Korap! Bahain ng Protesta ang Kurap na Sistema! (Solidarity Walk: Fight Against Corruption! Flood the Corrupt System with Protests!)
Over 40 people walked, handed out flyers, and chanted along this stretch, a core hub for the Filipino community in Vancouver, encouraging all to come join the rally against corruption and impunity at the Joyce Skytrain station. The Alay-Lakad march ended at the corner of 41st Avenue and Fraser Street on a stretch of green that has held so much grief and sorrow for our community these past few months, a place that saw eleven people killed and scores injured at the Lapu Lapu Block Party tragedy last April 26.
At this point in the Alay Lakad, Diane Zapata, Vice Chair of Migrante BC shared the story of a community member whose family could not fulfill their mother’s wish of being buried in their hometown due to immense and regular flooding — one of many examples of the suffering of Overseas Filipinos at the hands of corrupt, anti-people government officials. She also recalled the spirit and victories of EDSA I and EDSA II and called on all Filipinos, friends, and allies to connect with their communities, maximize social media, online platforms and text to mobilize all to action — today and every day until we lock up and hold accountable ALL those involved in anomalous flood control projects and other corruption from Duterte to Marcos, return the stolen wealth of the people, and end the rule of political dynasties and corrupt government systems once and for all.
At the Joyce Skytrain Station, the rally site, nearly two hundred people, young and old alike, came to express their indignation, protest and to demand accountability and justice. The songs, chants, and feisty speeches climaxed in the singing of the song adapted from Les Miserables “Ting ng Bayan na Galit” and the chants Babalik kami, mas marami! #BahaSaLuneta#KurakotManagot
The actions in Vancouver BC were part of the Canada-wide actions for Sept 21 OFW Day(s) of Action vs Corruption in Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa.
