MANILA, Philippines – Various groups will hold mass protests across the country on Thursday, September 21, to remember the declaration of martial law 45 years ago.
Several activities are also lined up all week to further debunk the myths of Martial Law under the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
On September 23, 1972, the former president appeared on television and by virtue of Proclamation 1081 supposedly signed on September 21, formally declared martial law nationwide. (READ: Marcos’ martial law orders)
Based on the stories of torture, repression, and enforced disappearances of activists during that time, the years that followed were considered among the darkest for the Philippines. During this period, the country also plunged into debt, racking up $24.4 billion in debt by 1982. (READ: Marcos years marked 'golden age' of PH economy? Look at the data)
President Rodrigo Duterte suspended government work and classes in public schools on Thursday and declared it a "national day of protest."
Here is a running list of activities recalling the declaration of Martial Law this week:
Wednesday, September 20
- Metro Manila
- 5 pm to 6:30 pm: "Organizing Dissent: A workshop on activism and the specter of martial law" at Faber 101 at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Thursday, September 21
- Metro Manila
- 8 am to 12 pm: Martial law noon... at ngayon? A millennial throwback at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Auditorium
- 10:30 am: SB park, Batasan High School
- 1 pm: Picket along Quezon Avenue, corner EDSA, organized by CAMB, Block Marcos, Kalipunan, iDefend
- 2 pm: Misa ng mamayanan organized by #TindigPilipinas
- 2 pm: Ecunemical service at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, organized by CAMB, Block Marcos, Kalipunan, iDefend
- 4 to 8 pm: "Stop the killings! Never again to tyranny and dictatorship!" at the Rizal Park
- 4 pm: Martsa ng mamamayan from UP Chapel to the Commission on Human Rights; from Quezon City Hall to the Commission on Human Rights
- 5 pm: Unveiling of Ka Pepe Dikno's statue at the Commission on Human Rights
- 9 pm: Makibaka! Don't get takot: An improv show at Pineapple lab in Makati
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: University of the Philippines - Diliman, University of the Philippines - Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, St. Scholastica University, College of Saint Benilde, Philippine Normal University, Technological University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, EARIST
- Ilocos Region
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: Pangasinan State University
- Cagayan Valley
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: Cagayan State University Isabela State University, Nueva Vizcaya State University
- Cordillera Administrative Region
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: University of the Philippines - Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University
- Central Luzon
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Pampanga, Bulacan State University
- Calabarzon
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Los Baños
- Mimaropa
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: Palawan State University
- Bicol Region
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: Ateneo de Naga University
- Central Visayas
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Visayas - Cebu, University of San Carlos, Cebu Normal University
- Western Visayas
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Visayas - Miag-ao, Western Visayas State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Central Philippine University
- Eastern Visayas
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Visayas - Tacloban, UPM SHS Palo, Leyte
- Northern Midnanao
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: MSU Iligan
- Davao Region
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: UP Mindanao, Assumption College, University of Southeastern Philippines
- Soccksargen
- Mobilizations organized by #YouthActNow against tyranny: Holy Trinity College General Santos, Mindanao Polytechnic College, MSU General Santos, Notre Dame of Marbel, UP Mindanao SHS Koronadal
September 22, 2017
- 5 to 6:30 pm: "Remembering martial law, renouncing extrajudicial killings: Voices from Ateneo and beyond" at Escaler Hall in the Ateneo de Manila University
- 5 to 7 pm: "Bakas ng Dahas" at Leong Hall in the Ateneo de Manila University
- 7:30 to 8:30 pm: Community mass in solidarity with the victims and in support of Caloocan sanctuary at the Church of the Gesu in the Ateneo de Manila University
September 23, 2017
- Start of 40 days of prayer led by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
September 30, 2017
- 6 pm: Brats meet-up: A sit-down of various youth groups against dictatorship, tyranny, and injustice at Commune, Makati
– Rappler.com