BY RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat
Posted 9:09 p.m., July 18, 2008
At least 2,000 college and high school students walked out of their classes today to call for a “meaningful change.” They were joined by out-of-school youth from different parts of Metro Manila.
Led by the Youth for Accountability and Truth Now! (Youth ACT Now!), the protesters marched from España Street, in front of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) main gate, to Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.
A two-hour program was held, dubbed by the organizers as “alternative classes.”
In his speech, Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) said that “the ruling elite led by Mrs. Arroyo and her imperialist masters” are the ones behind the Filipino people’s sufferings.
Biyaya Quizon, chairperson of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), criticized the Arroyo government’s use of force against political dissenters and ordinary citizens. Dion Carlo Cerrafon of Kabataang Pinoy lashed out at the corruption of the Arroyo government while Vijae Alquisola, national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) slammed the colonial orientation of the Philippine education and how education is used to maintain the status quo.
In his speech, Bayan Muna (People First) Rep. Satur Ocampo stressed the importance of political education among the youth. He urged them to continue organizing and mobilizing the Filipino people.
Graffiti artists painted the white cloth which served as the backdrop of the makeshift stage. Black ink was used for Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s face; the word “Oust” was written below her. Rock bands and a rap group composed of Filipino-Americans also performed.
In a show of anger, the protesters simultaneously tore apart papers with Arroyo’s face.
By 4:30 p.m., the contingent marched toward Mendiola via Recto Avenue but was blocked by police car patrols. They proceeded to Nicanor Reyes Street. The police used water cannons to disperse the protesters but the latter held their ground.
Ken Ramos, national chairperson of Anakbayan, lauded the “defiance” shown by the youth. He vowed that youth protests will continue until Arroyo steps down.
The protesters marched toward the Trabajo Market along España to end their program. (Bulatlat.com)
