Over 100 participants join the One Billion Rising campaign against tyranny at Malcolm Square in Baguio City on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Kimberlie Quitasol
BAGUIO CITY–Around 100 women, men and children gathered at the Malcom Square here on Valentine’s Day and danced to the One Billion Rising
(OBR) song at around 5 p.m.
This year, the OBR, a global activity, called for unity against tyranny.
It also pushed for “solidarity for good governance and politics of change”.
Aizah Mariano, who joined the activity, talked about how her family is struggling every day because of her mother’s incarceration “due to false charges.”
She is the daughter of Rachel Mariano, a community health worker who has served far-flung and neglected communities in the Cordilleras.
Luchie Maranan also read a statement of the Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity Baguio Chapter condemning the arrest of journalist Maria Ressa and called on the public to help defend press freedom.
Virgie Dammay, chairperson of Innabuyog-Gabriela, said OBR was launched in 2012 to call for an end to violence against women.
Dammay said that the OBR is also aimed at showing women’s resistance not only to domestic violence but also to political, economic and cultural rights violations. /gsg