United People’s Action
Unity Statement for the September 20, 2019 People’s Assembly
We, leaders of civil society and faith based organizations, believers in the enduring value of democracy, are one with young leaders in the meaningful commemoration of the 47th year since the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972.
Forgetting the truth destroys any nation. Our young leaders do well by leading Philippine society in recalling the dismal days of Marcos Martial Law, when unchecked abuse of power led to the rise of criminality, brazen disregard of the rule and law, and the unabashed outrage of democracy. The poor became poorer; dissenters, including the young were tortured, killed, or disappeared; and the nation gradually succumbed to the loss of hope. This is all a matter of fact: the world, recorded history, and Supreme Court decisions have all condemned Martial Law as the dark downward spiral of this nation’s physical and economic life as well as its spiritual and moral fabric. There is no denying this.
But all was not lost. In the midst of the darkness, light shone. The young and not so young from among the students and the religious sectors fought bravely, giving of their very lives and substance to attempt to resurrect freedom. For their bravery, the entire nation is indebted.
Our debt to those courageous freedom fighters compels us to fight our own battle for liberty today. As we engage, our first mission is to remember — and remember correctly! — the horror that was Marcos Martial Law. As we fight, we must realize that farmers, fisherfolk, workers, indigenous peoples and other oppressed people continue to suffer. Those who defend them – sectoral leaders, human rights activists, lawyers, intellectuals, priests, pastors, church workers and even student leaders — continue to be persecuted and even killed because they choose to persevere against injustice and dictatorship.
It is by actively remembering this past heroism that we can save the life of this nation. We must chart the future of the next generation by molding it in the ways of freedom. It is for this reason that we cry: Laban Kabataan, Laban Bayan, Inhustisya at Diktadura Wakasan!
Join us at the United People’s Action from 3 pm to 6 pm at the Luneta on September 20, 2019, the day before the 47th year from the Declaration of Martial Law by the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
