FILIPINO YOUTH TIE YELLOW RIBBONS 'ROUND JERSEY CITY

Photos by Jonna Baldres

Press Release
18 February 2009

Reference: Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com


FILIPINO YOUTH TIE YELLOW RIBBONS 'ROUND JERSEY CITY


JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - Contrary to the popular notion in the United States on yellow ribbons as symbols of support for American troops and desire to bring them back home, members of the progressive Filipino youth group Anakbayan New York/New Jersey offered community members of Jersey City yellow ribbons in remembrance and celebration of the 1986 People Power. Yellow ribbons with the inscription, "People Power Lives!" were handed out to Filipinos on Westside and Newark Avenues last February 16, 2009.

"Yellow is the color of one of the most momentous events in Philippine history. It is the symbolic color of our united voice saying enough is enough, and of our collective action, which ended the 21-year rule of the Marcos Regime. It has been more than two decades and we are still very proud of it. We should be constantly reminded of this historic affair to draw lessons from and give us hope that change is possible." Yancy Gandionco, Anakbayan NY/NJ vice-president stated.

As in Marcos' reign, Anakbayan believes that during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's eight unproductive years in office, Filipinos have remained poor, and that political repression and execution of those who oppose the administration's corrupt and inhumane practices have been perpetrated.

"The impoverished conditions in which Filipinos find themselves in for the past years have been testament that the Arroyo government has done nothing to lift up the economy of the nation, and instead, even widely opened its doors to neoliberal policies, exposing our country to worsening exploitation by the US imperialist and other foreign capitalist entities. To this, we say enough is enough!" Gandionco added.

To commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution, Anakbayan encourages Filipinos in the US to wear yellow ribbons on February 25th as a sign of the Filipino people's resolve for genuine change in the system of the Philippine government.

In addition, Anakbayan NY/NJ, in cooperation with the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), will be holding "Pagpupugay" on February 21, 2009 as a tribute to the anti-Martial Law activists who tirelessly fought from the First Quarter Storm movement of January 1970, and who still continue to fight up to the present, for the realization of true national democracy in the Philippines. The event will be held in Gallery 1199 at 310 West 43rd street from 1PM to 5PM.

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey is one of the US chapters of Anakbayan Philippines, a comprehensive national democratic mass organization fighting for the rights, welfare and basic needs of the Filipino youth around the world. Other US chapters include Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas and East Bay.

For more information on Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, please visit http://anakbayan-ny.blogspot.com or email us at anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com.