On September 21, Japanese students belonging to AASJA, the national student organization against imperialism, led with members of Migrante-Japan and other peace-loving individuals a protest rally in Osaka, Japan to commemorate the 35th year of the Martial Law declaration in the Philippines as well as denounce the continuous suppression and violation of human rights there.
On the street near the Philippine Consulate, they held a photo exhibition and film showing. The protest sheets earlier faxed to both the Philippine and the Japanese governments were distributed to passersby. The students spoke of their experience in the exposure trip in the Philippines hosted by AASJA and League of Filipino Students last August.
After the street rally, the protesters marched to the Philippine Consulate. In spite of the harassment of the Japanese managers and guards of the building who attempted to block them from holding placards and banners, the protesters were able to go up to the RP consulate office on the 24 floor .
They were received by a Philippine consul and they submitted their demands and criticism on the current anti-people attitude of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The consul simply echoed the official statement of the government on the issues. Asked why there has been no perpetrator convicted for the killings, he replied that the government and the police are working on the due process and they need time to avoid false charges. This just enraged the protesters.
They submitted a protest letter to GMA. On the same day, members of AASJA and AWC held a protest action at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo as well.
No Comments Yet
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
