MANILA, Philippines – A first for Philippine history, several groups across the country held online protests for the Labor Day celebration on Friday, May 1 to call the government to support its citizens during the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown guidelines in place have prevented activists from congregating on the streets, which prompted groups to think of creative ways to protest on social media—through illustrations, video conferences, and hashtags.
Activists stood with the everyday worker, highlighting their vital role in society and calling for their protection.
“We call upon the community to stand behind our workers, to show even greater support for our frontliners working to eradicate the threat that is COVID-19,” Alay Sining Fine Arts said in a statement.
This Labor Day, we call upon the community to stand behind our workers, to show even greater support for our frontliners working to eradicate the threat that is COVID-19.#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLaw#MassTestingHindiMassKilling#MayoUno2020
Full statement in thread pic.twitter.com/iLIoZY7Jz2
“For so long, they have worked tirelessly without getting the credit they deserve…. For our workers, this was the norm. Now, as the rest of the world struggles to keep up with the reality of COVID-19, we cannot go back to the way things were.”
“Our workers have proven to be the backbone of our society—we must always make their voices heard, and we must always listen.”
Groups also used the hashtag #AyudaHindiBala to condemn the administration’s militarist approach to the coronavirus crisis.
This follows a number of instances where authorities used force against quarantine violators, notably when Quezon City authorities mauled and dragged a fish vendor who did not have a face mask and quarantine pass, and when police killed former soldier Winston Ragos.
Ang Alay Sining FA ay nakikilahok sa laban ng mga manggagawa ngayong Mayo Uno. Mariing kinukundina namin ang pabaya, pahirap, at pasistang si Duterte kasama ang kanyang mga kroning pulis at militar. #MayoUno2020#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLaw#MassTestingHindiKillingpic.twitter.com/YupDv9VjUv
— Alay Sining Fine Arts (@AlaySiningEpey) May 1, 2020
Many activists also drew themselves holding online placards, urging authorities to give Filipino workers proper aid during the crisis.
“When our workers call for assistance, they should never be met with threats of violence made by the government for speaking up,” Twitter user @mehreel_ said.
When our workers call for assistance, they should never be met with threats of violence made by the government for speaking up.#MayoUno2020#RedLaborDayProtest#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLawpic.twitter.com/pLS1wqszbf
“I stand with workers to call for proper aid during this crisis from a government that chooses to kill instead of support them,” wrote Twitter user @susciPepe.
as an artist i stand with workers to call for proper aid during this crisis from a government that chooses to kill instead of support them.#MayoUno2020#RedLaborDayProtest#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLaw#MassTestingHindiKillingpic.twitter.com/LjI0ivg3wP
“Ngayong Mayo Uno, makiisa tayo sa laban ng ating mga manggagawa sa panunupil ng administrasyon na dinaranas nila araw-araw,” Twitter user @jetmanjvr said.
(This May 1, we stand with our workers who are oppressed by the administration every day.)
Ngayong Mayo Uno, makiisa tayo sa laban ng ating mga manggagawa sa panunupil ng administrasyon na dinaranas nila araw-araw, kasama ang ating mga panawagan!
Uring Manggagawa, hukbong mapagpalaya! #MayoUno2020#RedLaborDayProtest#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLawpic.twitter.com/RMonIOYV7T
Other Filipinos called for wage hikes and better working conditions, as several Filipinos’ livelihoods were hit by the pandemic. The Department of Labor and Employment stated on Thursday, April 30 that more than two million Filipinos have either lost their jobs or are under a “No Work, No Pay” scheme.
URING MANGGAGAWA,
HUKBONG MAGPAPALAYA#RedLaborDay2020#MayoUno2020pic.twitter.com/3Lpf1OKxI8
DAHIL MAYO UNO NGAYON,
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE IPAGLABAN!!! P750.00 PUSH NA YAN!!! #MayoUno2020!!! #RedLaborDay2020!!!
[ps. sona 2018 pa po itong photo na ito] pic.twitter.com/rrseUSQAhG
VIRTUAL PROTEST MUNA!#RedLaborDay2020#MassTestingHindiKilling#SerbisyoHindiMartialLawpic.twitter.com/CLegaz0kjx
Siklab PH and Anakbayan Retiro created GIFs to honor the everyday worker and frontliner.
Pagpupugay sa ating mga manggagawa! Kayo ang susi sa kalugod-lugod na pamumuhay namin bawat araw.
Pindutin ang at bigyan ng isang maikling mensahe ang sinumang manggagawang inyong mapipili! #MayoUno2020#RedLaborDay2020#SerbisyoHindiMartialLawpic.twitter.com/Tjyn1Q5Meo
Makiisa tayo sa mga manggagawa sa ating bansa! I-screenshot ang GIF at magpahayag ng mensahe para sa mapipiling manggagawa!#AyudaHindiBala#SerbisyoHindiMartialLaw#RedLaborDay2020#MayoUno2020pic.twitter.com/MvVMAswizP
Other groups held online rallies through video conferences. Kilusang Mayo Uno held a noise barrage and burned an online effigy through a Zoom call that was livestreamed on Facebook.
Nagkaisa Labor Coalition along with Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa held an online rally for labor, women, and youth groups. Senator Risa Hontiveros and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno were also present at the online rally.
– Rappler.com