Police violence against peaceful protesters and by-standers is an attack on human rights!

Statement

8 May 2009

Police violence against peaceful protesters and by-standers

is an attack on human rights!

Migrante Ontario Youth condemns the police violence against Adrienne Lee, Myk Miranda and Jeffrey Miranda at approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 2, 2009 near the peaceful Tamil protest on University Avenue.  The police actions against them were a display of unnecessary use of force and an indication of the growing repression of Canadian law enforcers of people’s right to freedom of assembly.

Adrienne Lee, along with Myk Miranda and Jeffrey Miranda were observing the protestors at Armoury Street and University Avenue when they were approached by a contingent of the Toronto police present.  At first the police used intimidation tactics – yelling at and motioning aggressively – with the intention of moving them off the public sidewalk.  Despite their compliance, they were soon being pushed away by one officer.

The officer, who was much larger than all three, singled out Adrienne (the smallest of the group), who was walking with her bike.  The officer pushed her along with one hand on her and the other on her bike.  As she was following his order, she became rightfully upset and told the officer “Get your hands off of me and my bike, I can walk it myself!” At that point the police officer threw the bike down and grabbed Adrienne Lee and forcefully threw her to the ground.

The officer is described as White, at least 250 lbs., 6’4”, heavy built, while Adrienne is a 100-lb., Chinese-Canadian university student, and her companions were both Filipino.

“My girlfriend was trembling.  We were all saddened, flabbergasted, disgusted, and terrified,” recalls Myk of the event.  Myk protested Adrienne’s treatment and repeatedly requested the officer’s name and badge number which he at first refused to give and only later reluctantly acquiesced.  Even then, he quickly and incoherently gave the information and refused further requests to repeat it.  Another officer joined in and threatened Myk with arrest if he persisted with questioning the initial officer.

Migrante Ontario Youth would like to point out that all officers are by law required to give this information freely, clearly, and without hesitation.  This attempt to avoid compliance is worrying and shows a disregard and disrespect of both the citizenry and the rule of law.

Myk further comments, “It makes me lose confidence in the character of some of these police officers who did not serve and protect, but harassed, provoked and abused. While there are honest cops with discipline and a strong sense of morality, what was exemplified and exposed was horribly the opposite.  I couldn’t even get a record of his name.  We all felt very violated. It was a dehumanizing experience.”

The assault on Adrienne, Myk and Jeffrey was not an isolated incident at that protest – Migrante Ontario Youth has also learned of the assaults the police made on Tamil and non-Tamil protesters on May 2, and of the arrests of two non-Tamil protesters.  Despite the police chief William Blair’s statement that he would not interfere with the protest as long as it remained peaceful, there have been increasing hostile acts by the police towards the Tamil protesters, supporters, and now even mere observers.  This behaviour is part of a systemic attack on people’s rights to freedom of assembly, and in particular, to demonstrate support for the Tamil people’s struggle for human rights and liberation.

We at Migrante Ontario Youth denounce this specific incident of police violence and the increasingly more frequent acts of unjustified force perpetrated by the Toronto Police.  The use of force against lawful citizens is not only against the mission of the police, but is contrary to the values held by the Canadian people.  Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with the Tamil people in their struggle for peace, justice and national liberation.

Reference:  Mithi Esguerra, (647) 239-6553

Mensahe ng Migrante Ontario Youth sa burol ni Juana Tejada, Marso 15, 2009

(English translation provided below.)

Mensahe ng Migrante Ontario Youth sa burol ni Juana Tejada
Marso 15, 2009

Si Juana Tejada sa salu-salo para ipagdiwang ang tagumpay ng kampanya para sa kanyang permanent resident status.

Ngayong gabi, nais ipaabot ng Migrante Ontario Youth  ang aming taos-pusong pakikiramay kay Kuya Noli Azada – asawa ni Juana – at sa pamilya ni Juana.  Ikinalulungkot namin ang kanyang pagpanaw, ngunit ipinagpupugay namin ang kanyang buhay.

Bilang bahagi ng Migrante Ontario, nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataong makilahok sa pakikipaglaban ni Juana para sa kanyang permanent resident status sa Canada.  Nagsilbi siyang malaking inspirasyon sa amin dahil sa kanyang tapang na tumindig, hindi lamang para sa sarili niyang karapatan, kundi para rin sa mga ibang caregiver na tulad niya.

Nakita namin kay Juana ang larawan ng mga nanay ng mga kabataang migrante, na lumabas ng bansa para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang mga anak; ng mga ate, na nangibang-bayan upang tulungan ang mga kapatid; at ng aming mga kapwa kabataan, tulad ng mga bagong gradweyt pa lamang, na walang mahanap na trabaho sa atin kaya pumunta na lang sa ibang bansa. Nakita namin sa katauhan niya ang tiyaga at tapang ng maraming caregiver na nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa alang-alang sa mga mahal sa buhay.

Para sa mga kabataang anak ng mga migranteng nasa Live-in Caregiver Program, marami ring hirap ang kailangang harapin tulad ng matagal na pagkakahiwalay sa kanilang mga magulang, pagsasanay sa bagong sitwasyon pagdating dito, at mga sistemikong problema tulad ng rasismo sa paaralan, trabaho at sa kanilang mga komunidad.

Kaya nauunawaan namin sa Migrante Ontario Youth na ang pakikibaka ng mga kabataang migrante ay hindi kaiba sa pakikibaka ng mga migranteng manggagawa.  Ito ay ang pakikibaka ng mga Pilipinong napipilitang lumuwas ng bansa dahil hindi tayo kayang suportahan ng ating sariling gubyerno, at siya namang pinakikinabangan ng mga mayayamang bansa tulad ng Canada na nangangailangan ng murang paggawa.

Dahil dito, ipagpapatuloy namin at lalo pang paiigtingin ang pag-oorganisa para sa kabutihan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan at para sa ganap na pagbabago sa sariling nating bansa.  Sa partikular, makikilahok kami sa kampanya para sa pagpapatupad ng Juana Tejada Law.

Wala man sa ating mga kamay ang pagkakasakit at pagkamatay ni Juana, nasa atin ang pasya na sundin ang kanyang halimbawa at ilaan ang natitirang mga araw ng ating buhay sa isang makabuluhang tunguhin – ang pakikipaglaban para sa isang lipunang nagbibigay-halaga sa mga mamamayang lumulikha ng yaman nito, isang lipunan kung saan hindi na kailangang magkahiwa-hiwalay ang mga pamilya para lamang mabuhay.

Mabuhay ang alaala ni Juana Tejada!  Mabuhay ang mga caregiver!  Mabuhay ang migranteng manggagawang Pilipino!
* * *

Migrante Ontario Youth’s message delivered at the wake of Juana Tejada
March 15, 2009

Migrante Ontario Youth member at the rally demanding permanent resident status for Juana, held in front of the Citizenship and Immigration office in Etobicoke on June 27, 2008, Juana's 39th birthday

Tonight, Migrante Ontario Youth extends our heartfelt sympathies to Kuya Noli Azada – husband of Juana – and to Juana’s family.  We grieve her passing, but we also celebrate her life.

As part of Migrante Ontario, we had the chance to participate in Juana’s struggle to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.  She was a huge inspiration to us because of her courage, not only to stand up for her own rights, but for those of other caregivers like her.

We saw in Juana the image of many mothers of migrant youth, who left the Philippines to give their children a better future; of older sisters who went abroad to help their younger siblings; and of our fellow youth, like recent graduates, who cannot find work in the Philippines and therefore decide to go to other countries.  We saw in Juana the perseverance and courage of many caregivers who take risks in other countries for the sake of their loved ones.

For youth who are children of migrants under the Live-in Caregiver Program, there are also many challenges to face, such as years of separation from their parents, adjusting to a new situation once they arrive here, and systemic problems like racism in schools, work or in their communities.

This is why we in Migrante Ontario Youth understand the the struggle of migrant youth is one with the struggle of migrant workers. It is the struggle of Filipinos who are forced to leave their homeland because our own government cannot support us, and on the other hand it is we who are taken advantage of by wealthy countries like Canada which need cheap labour.

Because of this, we will continue and intensify our organizing work for the rights and welfare of our fellow Filipinos and for genuine change in our motherland.  In particular, we will participate in the campaign for the passage of the Juana Tejada Law.

The illness and subsequent death of Juana may have been beyond our control, but we have the power to decide to follow Juana’s example and dedicate the rest of our lives to a worthy cause – the struggle for a society that values the people who create its wealth, a society where families no longer need to be torn apart in order to survive.

Long live the memory of Juana Tejada!  Long live caregivers!  Long live Filipino migrant workers!

* * *

Above photos taken from Migrante Ontario photo gallery:
http://picasaweb.google.com/migrante.ontario/

More photos of the Juana Tejada campaign by Alex Felipe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_felipe/sets/72157605729778847/

Migrante Ontario Youth statement on the abduction, torture and murder of Rebelyn Pitao

Migrante Youth Statement
March 8, 2009

ABDUCTION, TORTURE AND MURDER OF REBELYN PITAO

Rebelyn Pitao, 20 years old, teacher at St. Peter College, Toril, Davao City. Abducted, tortured and murdered March 4, 2009.

Migrante Youth, member organization of Migrante Ontario, strongly condemns the grotesque killing of Rebelyn Pitao, 20, a teacher in Davao City, Philippines and daughter of Leoncio Pitao, a commander of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Rebelyn was abducted by suspected military agents near her family home in Davao City , while she was on her way home from school around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.  The next day her underwear clad body was found floating in an irrigation ditch in Davao del Norte with signs of torture.  Her body sustained blunt force injuries to her face, rope marks on her neck, five stab wounds to her body which pierced her lungs and liver, and lacerations on her genitals.

This latest human rights violation by the Arroyo regime is in direct violation of International Humanitarian Law and clearly shows the government’s unwillingness to distinguish between civilians and combatants in their U.S.-backed “war on terror” against the NPA. Since Arroyo took power in 2001 close to 1000 extra-judicial killings have claimed the lives of journalists, clergy, union leaders, students and other civilians who have been critical of the government, while roughly 200 individuals have been subjected to enforced disappearance.

The abductions of youth leaders Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño on June 26, 2006 are still fresh in our minds.  Sherlyn was a member of the youth organization ANAKBAYAN and was pregnant, while Karen was with the League of Filipino Students and one month shy of celebrating her 23rd birthday at the time of their abduction.

We hold the de facto president of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines , Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responsible for this heinous violation of Rebelyn Pitao’s right to life, and that of the many others.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, and Arbitrary Executions, Philip Alston, issued a report in 2008 linking the extrajudicial execution of activists to the government’s counterinsurgency operations.

We urge our fellow youth to join us in the international campaign to stop the political killings, abductions and other human rights violations in the Philippines.

For more information:  Diwa Marcelino – migranteON.youth@gmail.com,(416) 809-3492

Crispin Beltran Philippine History Lectures: Part III

Part III:  The Philippine Working Class Movement in the Era of U.S. Colonialism

The Commonwealth Government and Attempts to Divide the Union Movement; The Struggle against Japanese Occupation during WWII (1917-1945)

Thursday, March 19, 2009
University of Toronto
Bahen Centre for Information Technology
Room 2135
40 St. George Street, Toronto (map)

This next installment of the lecture series covers the latter part of the American colonial period and the period of Japanese occupation.

After the complete pacification of the Filipinos through the Philippine-American War, the American colonialists continued the repression of the working class by co-opting the ruling classes and established the Commonwealth Government. But even though the armed resistance was suppressed, Filipinos continued to organize through labour unions and community associations which clamoured not only for workers’ rights but also for national liberation, and eventually formed a working class party.

As the Second World War broke out, Japan invaded the Philippines and the United States retreated, leaving Filipinos to struggle against a new imperial force.

Some topics and personalities to be covered:

• Crisanto Evangelista
• Manuel L. Quezon
• The Commonwealth Government
• HUKBALAHAP
• Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s famous promise: “I shall return.”

*Attendance at previous lectures is not a pre-requisite. A recap of major points from the first two lectures will be provided.

*This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Presented in partnership with the Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT).

For more information, contact migranteON.youth@gmail.com or (647) 239-6553.

Visit our page on the entire Ka Bel lecture series:
http://migranteontarioyouth.wordpress.com/projects/

“Farewell Master Rapper” by Renato Reyes, Jr.

An article by Renato Reyes, Jr. of BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan/New Patriotic Alliance) on the recent passing of legendary Filipino rapper, Francis Magalona.

* * *

Farewell Master Rapper
By Renato Reyes, Jr.
March 6, 2009

Today we received the sad news that Pinoy rap legend Francis Magallona passed away. It was a day we had not expected to come so soon, despite the battle with leukemia. Folks were actually expecting a new collaborative album with Ely Buendia, even during Francis M’s treatment.

Very few people are entitled to have the word “legend” attached to their names. Even fewer for those who are just 44.

Kiko was a pioneer, a trailblazer for all the pinoy rappers today. He started out when folks had not even heard of hip-hop. He was a giant in his field, yet never forgot to look after the “little people”, the aspiring artists he took under his wing, or the young rappers he inspired.

The Master Rapper lived up to the words of the late Lino Brocka, that the artist is also a citizen.

I remember as a kid, listening to “Mga Kababayan” and “Man from Manila”, “Tayo’y mga Pinoy”. These songs gave us a sense of national identity, a concept that was just forming in our heads as grade-schoolers. The words “three stars and a sun” will always be associated with him.

Francis M. was down with being Brown. “Mga kababayan ko, dapat lang malaman nyo, bilib ako sa kulay ko, ako ay Pilipino!”. “I am the Man from Manila. Kami ang tinig ng Kayumanggi”. He brought that sense of national pride into Pinoy hip-hop. (We also enjoyed “Cold Summer Nights, by the way).

But more than this affirmation of national identity is the serious effort at commenting on social ills. There’s the remarkable “Kaleidoscope World”, reminding us that some are friends, some are foes, some have some, while some have most.

There’s his collaboration on Lando with Gloc 9 about a tragic relationship set in urban poverty. There’s Liham sa Pangulo which he did with Stick Figgas and Gloc 9, a scathing criticism of corruption at the highest levels.

“Mahal na pangulo bakit mahal ang mga bilihin
Di mo na nanaisin na tumira dito sa bayan natin
Ang kinain ng mayaman tinatapon sa basura
Pinupulot ng mahirap mapuno lang ang sikmura
Balahurang nahalal halos kaban ng bayan isinugal
Isinambulat sa Senado at sa dyaryo binulgar
Napahiya’t ayaw umamain na sila’y nagnakaw din
Di lang sa pagkain pati sa pera ay matakaw din
At pagdating sa lupain sila ay mga buakaw din
Lahat ay inaangkin kahit ano ay gagawin
Mga sakim, ganid sa ginto di makuntento sa milyon
Bilyon ang gusto kahit ang bayan ay baon
Sa utang at sa kangkungan pupulutin
Tanong ko lang sa inyo mahal niyo ba ang bayan natin
Mahal na pangulo paano na ang pilipinas
Lantarang pagnanakaw araw araw di lilipas”

There’s That Money which he did with Fil-Am rapper Kiwi and Gloc 9, talking about corporate greed. http://www.imeem.com/kiwizzo/music/psUW0eqg/kiwi-that-money-feat-gloc9-and-francis-m/

These weren’t just rhymes without reason. These verses spoke the truth about the society we live in.

Lest I forget, Francis M’s “influence” on the mass movement was this short line which he used to do in that TV program Loveli-ness when he’d do the music chart countdown with Willie Revillame on drums. He’d say “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no-no”. This line was picked up by activists and was popular during rallies, “Say no! Ayoko! Say, No, no, no, no, no,no ,no no-no… sa base militar ng Kano dito!”.

Pinoy Music is a head shorter now without the Man from Manila. He will be truly missed. It is our hope that his words and works will live on in the next generation of artists who will pick up a mic and and instrument.

Farewell.

Post-SOFU

SOFU organizing committee and panelists

Read articles on the State of the Filipino Nation forum held February 26 at William Doo Auditorium, University of Toronto.

Filipinos debate their identity, how they fit in (Toronto Star)
http://www.thestar.com/article/594518

Join the discussion about this article on the Kapisanan Philippine Centre blog:  kapisanan.wordpress.com

State of the Filipino Union: The bridge is being built… Handa ka na? (Philippine Reporter)
http://www.philippinereporter.com/2009/03/02/state-of-the-filipino-union-the-bridge-is-being-built%E2%80%A6-handa-ka-na/

NOTEBOOK: Reporter’s 20th year sees awakening of Toronto Filipino youth (Philippine Reporter)
http://www.philippinereporter.com/2009/03/02/notebook/

The State of the Filipino Union Forum (SOFU)

Building a Bridge, Defining and Encouraging the Community

Thursday, February 26, 2009
6:00pm – 10:00pm
University of Toronto – William Doo Auditorium
45 Willcocks Street, Toronto (map)
(close to Spadina and Harbord)

The State of the Filipino Union (SOFU) Forum will be a one evening event, in which influential representatives from the Filipino community in and around the Toronto/GTA will come together and discuss the current state of Philippine descendants and residents in Ontario.

Held during the University of Toronto’s “Filipino Awareness Week”, it will be a non-partisan forum uniting (for one night) all those who wish to be united. It will hope to address the key issues prevalent and relevant to all Filipinos in Ontario today. Organized principally by the younger generation of Filipinos in Toronto, it looks to touch on topics just as relevant to young Filipinos as anyone else, since we are, undoubtedly, the present and the future of our community. SOFU ultimately hopes to foster communication while defining and encouraging the Filipino community at large in Ontario.

There will also be:
LIVE PERFORMANCES
A Tabling market with Local Entrepreneurs

AND ITS FREE! No Cover No Charge, Just simply walk in on your own.

Brought to you by:
The Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture
The Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto (FSAT)
Migrante Ontario Youth

If you are part of an organization or you’re a young and knowledgeable Filipino and want to be on the panel please feel free to contact us for consideration.

Contact:
For more information about the State of the Filipino Union Forum 2009 please contact Myk at Filipino.Union@gmail.com

Letter from Tamara, daughter of Maria Luisa Posa-Dominado

Maria Luisa “Luing” Posa-Dominado was a community organizer and human rights advocate, and is one of the victims of “enforced disappearances” which have taken place under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime.  Luing was abducted by unidentified men in fatigue clothing on April 12, 2007, and is still missing to this day.

Below is a letter to Luing from her 15-year-old daughter, Tamara, written just before Luing’s birthday on August 10 this year.

15-year-old Tamara Dominado at the celebration of her mother Luing's 53rd birthday on August 10, 2008. Luing was abducted by unidentified men on April 12, 2007 and is still missing.

Dear Nanay,

On August 10, you’ll be 53 already. I really wish you’ll be there when we celebrate it. I’ve missed you so much, everyday and always. And I guess everyone else has, too.

It’s been hard not having you around. Manang has been a pain in the ass as always but she’s trying.

I’ve been living in a dorm for the past 2 months now. It’s been stressful and depressing living there. Some of my high school classmates are staying there too. I get home sick every now and then because I don’t like that place. I don’t know why.

You know this one time; I really got sick because I cried for almost the whole night. Crying makes me weak, I guess. You see, that night, my classmate got home sick and she cried because she missed her mom. And I guess that’s what triggered my fits of crying. You see, I won’t easily admit it and I sometimes forget it, but deep down inside, I miss you so much. I’ve missed you since the day you never came back. I try my best not to talk about you because just a mere memory could bring me on the verge of tears.

I remembered when I first cried in the dorm. We were having our group dynamics and were talking about our lives and problems. When it came to be my turn, I thought I could handle it and they urged me to let out because they said it would lessen the pain, so I talked about you and my life, but it only managed to make me cry and make my head ache for the whole night. Sometimes I wonder if the pain will ever go away.

The last time I cried it was during the first time I went to a cheering practice for the Elektrons. It was my first time to be in the workshop and I had to do it alone because I was late. I guess they weren’t that hard on me like they were on the others. I just had to act three times. It was a nightmare because I couldn’t keep myself from smiling. But on the last scene they turned out the lights. Then they told me to act like a mother begging for food and money to feed her child. I didn’t know what to do so I knelt and acted but I still kept on smiling. And I guess they wanted to piss me off to stop me from smiling so they threw bad comments at me. They were all talking at the same time and I don’t know how I heard this question, but I heard it loud and clear over the other comments. Someone said, “Where’s your mom?” and thinking that it was just gonna be a part of my acting I replied, “She’s dead…” and it took sometime for me to take in those words. I said a whole lot more but then I stopped mid-sentence. The whole weight of what I said bore down on me. It felt like the darkness was squeezing me, seeping into every bit of my humanity, waiting for me to fall off the brink, and then, I cried. And I guess the people around me didn’t understand why I cried. They don’t know. I guess they thought they were a bit rough on me so they were a lot nicer to me after that incident. And somehow it made me laugh a bit. Some of my friends were there to comfort me, too. I wouldn’t have stopped crying if they weren’t there.

And you know what, nay? Remember when I said that I got sick? My friends took care of me that day and I got a lot better in no time. And being around people takes my mind off the sadness. I guess that’s why I’m a bit monophobic now. I get depressed when I’m alone.

What I’m trying to say is, on your birthday, or any other day, nay, you don’t need to worry about me, about us. All you need to do is to worry about yourself and take care, wherever you are. Because I (us, those who you care for) am surrounded by people who care and will help in any way they can. They can make me laugh until my tummy hurts and they’re also crazy just like me.

And as I finish this letter addressed supposedly to you, but will never reach you, I guess, I would like to write these lyrics from a song I heard.

“I’ve lost any chance for me to say,
To say that I miss you,
Say that I love you,
Will someone please tell me I’m OK?…”

- by Tamara

For more coverage of the commemoration of Luing and links to other sites with information about her abduction,visit Arkibong Bayan:

http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2008-08Aug10-luing/luingbday.htm

To find out how you can participate in the campaign to stop extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines, contact Migrante Ontario Youth: migranteON.youth@gmail.com.

Coming in January 2009

Crispin Beltran Philippine History Lectures
Part II:  The Philippine Working Class Movement in the Era of U.S. Colonial Rule
Second Half:  The Commonwealth Government and Attempts to Divide the Union Movement
Date and location TBA.
Once again presented in collaboration with the Filipino Students Association of Toronto (FSAT).

Filipino Youth Festival
A whole day of activities on awareness-raising about Philippine history and culture and community engagement.  A collaborative project of Migrante Ontario Youth, Philippine Advocacy Through Arts and Culture, Kapisanan Philippine Centre, Filipino Students’ Association of Toronto, Filipino Canadian Association of Ryerson.
Saturday, January 24, 2008
Time and location TBA.

MOY member to speak at Saturday Night Love

One of our members will be speaking at Saturday Night Love this Saturday, December 13, on the topic of exploitation of women in the Philippines.  Saturday Night Love is a weekly event hosted by Toronto Poets, consisting of a panel discussion followed by musical and spoken word performances.

SATURDAY NIGHT LOVE
Saturday, December 13, 2008
7:30pm – 10:00pm
Ritz Caribbean Restaurant, 3rd Floor
606 Yonge Street, just North of Wellesley subway station

Facebook event page:  http://www.facebook.com/events.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=63204112432