FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2009
Reference: Raquel Redondiez, Chair, GABRIELA USA (415) 244-9734, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
“On September 21, we remember the thousands victims killed and disappeared under Marcos’ Martial Law,†says Raquel Redondiez, chair of GABRIELA USA and member of BABAE in San Francisco. “And more importantly, we reaffirm our commitment to seek justice for the victims of Martial Law, as well as those who have perished under Gloria’s Marcos-like reign.
Thirty- seven years after the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines by the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Filipino American women in the US, members of GABRIELA USA, stand vigilant against the return of the dark days of the Marcos regime.
“The parallels between the Marcos and the Arroyo regimes are alarming. Like the Marcoses’, the Arroyo’s have stolen hundreds of lives and taken millions of public funds from our people. Following Marco’s footsteps, GMA has also used Filipino migrant workers, mostly women, to keep the economy afloat.†said Valerie Francisco, Vice-Chair of GABRIELA USA and member of FIRE (Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment) in New York.
Filipino women in the U.S. also remember that the bleak years of Martial Law gave rise to a powerful people’s movement. Filipinos, including women and youth, refused to kneel to Marcos’ tyranny.
Building strength from the resistance of Filipino women against Marcos’ corruption and tyranny, GABRIELA, a national women’s alliance was founded in 1985 at the height of the people’s opposition to Martial Law. Today, GABRIELA, which has expanded globally wherever Filipinas can be found, still answers the call for change and justice for the Filipino people.
“As GABRIELA members in the U.S., the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law is an important reminder of the resilience of our people†, said Claudia Alexandra Paras, Chair of PINAY, the Seattle-based member organization of GABRIELA USA.
“We will continue to fight for justice for our sisters like Melissa Roxas and Rebelyn Pitao, the most recent women victims of enforced disappearances and political killings under the Arroyo regime.†said Terrie Cervas of SIGAW (Sisters of GABRIELA Awaken) in Los Angeles.