New York activists demand: Never again to martial law in the Philippines

New York, NY – 25 people gathered September 20 at noon in front of the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York City to commemorate the 47th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines under the regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The action was called by BAYAN USA NorthEast, to say, “Never again to martial law,” and to call attention to the continuation of state repression in the Philippines under the current, U.S.-backed Duterte regime.

Rodrigo Duterte’s so called “war on drugs” has led to the killings, torture and imprisonment of many Filipino activists and human rights defenders, just like in the period of martial law under Marcos.

Among those organizations represented at the rally were BAYAN USA NorthEast, ANAKBAYAN NY, GABRIELA NY, the Malaya Movement, New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, and New York Boricua Resistance. Strong themes of people power and collective resistance to the ruling elite were present across all of the speeches and solidarity statements.

As a representative from NYCHRP said, “Let us remember that no dictator has succeeded in ruling over the Philippines. The people have always risen up to overthrow the dictators into the dustbin of history.”

47 years after dictator Marcos declared martial law, the organizers in BAYAN and affiliated organizations continue to resist and fight back against U.S. imperialism and the Duterte regime. And as could be seen at the rally held today, many people and organizations stand firmly alongside the Filipino people in a strong showing of international solidarity.