Militants gear up for ‘Hindipendence Day’ rally

HINDI! (NO!)Leaders of the upcoming “Hindipendence Day” rally express their gripes against the Duterte administration in a press conference on Thursday. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The TRAIN law, the assault on judicial integrity, rampant killings, the push for charter change and the President’s “indecent behavior”—these are just some of the issues militant groups will raise against the two-year-old Duterte administration in next week’s Independence Day rally in Manila.

“True freedom means freeing your country from different forms of oppression [and] violence,” said Irma Balaba, a pastor of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines, said on Thursday in a press briefing drumming up support for the June 12 “Hindependence Day” mass action.

“We will not be silenced. We will not be cowed. We will continue with our fight, together with the different sectors of society, because we believe that our faith cannot be oppressed by the one who’s currently lording over our society,” Balaba added.

“Ayaw namin sa bastos! (We detest  vulgarity)” read one placard held by the activist-theater actress known as Juana Change, apparently referring to the President’s public remarks critics find insulting to women but are consistently downplayed by the Palace.

The 3 p.m. protest march starting at Liwasang Bonifacio  is expected bring together groups that believe in fighting for real independence for the country and combating all forms of oppression, the organizers said.

Among the participants are #BabaeAko, Girls for Peace, Youth Act Now Against Tyranny, Gabriela, Bayan, Democratic Alliance Movement of the Philippines, Rise UP and the labor movement Sentro. —AIE BALAGTAS SEE