I will be a speaker at the Defending Press Freedom panel at the Malaya Movement National Summit for Human Rights & Democracy in the Philippines. The Summit will take place in D.C. from April 6-8.
The Summit is expected to gather hundreds of people from across the U.S. and aims to deepen and broaden our unity and solidarity with the Filipino people as we all raise the ante of our struggle against Duterte’s dictatorial regime.
This gathering comes at a very important moment. In just two and half years, the world has witnessed the unfolding of a fascist regime in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte. The Duterte regime unleashed a slew of anti-people policies such as the TRAIN law which has led to a 6.4% inflation rate – the highest in a decade, the attacks on press freedom with the arrest of Maria Ressa of Rappler, the seemingly endless Drug War that has killed as high as 27,000 killings, the continuing crackdown on dissent and the assassination of activists, priests, farmers, and indigenous people, and now the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao. We have also seen the betrayal of our national sovereignty with the sell-out of the West Philippine Sea. With the midterm elections approaching in May, we can expect escalating cases of violence and corruption as Duterte seeks to consolidate his power and legitimize his regime at all costs. Now more than ever, it’s important we stand together for human rights, genuine democracy and sovereignty in the Philippines. (Malaya Movement)
Panels sessions on Saturday, April 6th include: Human Rights and Drug War, Socio-Economic Issues Impacting Filipino Workers and Migrants, Defending Press Freedom, National Sovereignty and the West Philippine Sea, and Indigenous People's Rights and Martial Law in Mindanao.
We will also have interest group discussions to welcome all to network and share ideas with one another based on your field of work including: youth, students, educators, health workers and professionals, faith leaders, migrants, lawyers, and artists.
Regional caucus session will also be held to meet people from different regions in the U.S. working on education, organizing, advocacy, lobbying, and activities in their local region and discuss ideas on how to further the Malaya Movement’s mission.
On Sunday, April 7th, we will facilitate workshops for skill-based trainings on legislative advocacy and direct action planning.
On Monday, April 8th, we will take action.
Journalist Maria Ressa herself will be delivering a keynote address at the Summit.
If you need a ride to the summit, need childcare, or have other accessibility questions, please message malaya.sbay@gmail.com.
Register to attend: https://bit.ly/malayasummit.
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