Advocacy Call: Humane Life in the City, Not Demolition!

On August 31, 2009, the Task Force Anti-Eviction, together with Kilos Maralita, CUPA and other Urban Poor Groups coordinating with Caritas-Manila, marched to Mendiola. The March started from Espana Corner Lacson Street (Old Forbes St.) and ended at Mendiola where a program was held until 12:00 noon. The head of the Malacanang Police approached the rally organizers courteously and were assured that the group would disperse peacefully at 12:00 noon. The barbed barricade was on just an inch after the Chino Roces statue. We held the program there.

The Urban Poor's recurring theme was that Bayani Fernando is not a bayani (bayani is Filipino for hero.)He demolishes urban poors' homes with impunity. I could feel the anger of the urban poor when they uttered: "Hindi bayani si Bayani Fernando. Siya ay Verdugo ng Maralita". Bayani Fernando is not a hero. He is the hatchetman of the poor in the city. He does not follow the law. He has no compassion. He is shameless.

The rally was small but it landed on TV and the message of the urban poor was clear:

MAKATAONG PAMUMUHAY HINDI DEMOLITION. HUMANE SPACE AND HABITAT NOT DEMOLITION!

To watch the flash report on the rally, please follow the link below:

http://jlagman17.blogspot.com/

 Here's another link on the August 31, 2009 rally at Mendiola:

CO Multiversity is a member of Tindignation, a coalition of different groups which

was launched to protest against House Bill 1109 that seeks to amend the

Constitution through a Constituent Assembly. Tindignation staged a rally during

the July 27, 2009 SONA (State of the Nation Address) to contribute to the

task of making people aware that the SONA did not reflect the real state of the nation. 

This afternoon, Tindignation had a march from the vicinity of the Makati Fire Station to the Ninoy Aquino Statue at Ayala Avenue Corner Paseo de Roxas. We were all in yellow. Yellow became Ninoy and Cory's symbol for the fight for genuine democracy.

The program was short. We sang the national anthem. Then, a statement was read regarding the stand of Tindignation on the martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino.Fr. Robert Reyes asked us to get a pinch of soil from the container of soil being passed around. He said he will bless the soil for it is where a plant grows and dies and live again. Just like our dream for a truly democratic nation. After that we sang Bayan Ko. Then we lighted candles from a big candle in front of the statue. Holding the candles up, we sang Handog ng Pilipinbo sa Mundo.

The tarpaulins that were placed a distance from the Statue of Ninoy has been signed by many.

These tarps were brought to the statue too. The moment was quiet and simple but it was moving.

Here's an article from UCAN (Union of Catholic Asian News) talking about Denis Murphy's account about
former President Corazon Aquino. Denis said:" Aquino made it look easy to be good." Please follow the link below for the full UCAN commentary.

http://www.ucanews.com/2009/08/07/%e2%80%98aquino-made-it-look-easy-to-be-good%e2%80%99/