LIST: Bonifacio Day protests, activities

Inspired by Andres Bonifacio’s activism, groups from various sectors are staging protests on Bonifacio Day, November 30, to speak out on issues surrounding the Duterte administration, including its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of the groups will be converging along University Avenue at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City on Monday morning.

Labor groups are among those taking to the streets, as the pandemic has left millions of Filipinos jobless.

Several groups are also using Bonifacio Day to condemn the Duterte administration’s moves and policies. Anakbayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Kadamay, for instance, are among those leading protests to call out the government’s attempts to red-tag critics, as well as the controversial enactment of the anti-terror law.

Youth groups, meanwhile, are denouncing what they call “criminal negligence” in the handling of recent disasters and the coronavirus crisis.

November 30 marks the 157th birthday of Bonifacio, known as the Father of the Philippine Revolution, who was executed in 1897.

Here is a running list of protests and activities for Monday:

Metro Manila

• 7 am, UP Diliman: A coalition of youth organizations, including Anakbayan, STAND UP, League of Filipino Students, and Alay Sining, is organizing a youth assembly at Quezon Hall. They will march to University Avenue at 8:30 am.

• 8 am, National Housing Authority: Kadamay, an urban poor organization, is mobilizing to speak out against the jeepney phaseout, among other issues. Demonstrators will gather at the National Housing Authority, then proceed to University Avenue at 9 am.

• 9 am, Commission on Human Rights: Labor organizations, such as Partido Manggagawa, will commemorate both Bonifacio Day and the Global Day of Action against Repression at the Commission on Human Rights. They will later march to University Avenue to call for an end to the red-tagging of trade unions, and urge the government to ensure the health, security, and safety of all workers in the country. 

• 9 am, University of Santo Tomas: Youth organization Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) will stage a protest at the University of Santo Tomas to slam the Duterte government’s handling of the pandemic, disaster response, and the transition to distance learning. From 10 am onwards, they will march to Morayta corner Recto Avenue before proceeding to Mendiola Bridge.

• 10 am, UP Diliman: Various organizations from the labor sector, such as Kilusang Mayo Uno and Tambisan Sa Sining, and several youth groups will be converging along University Avenue to defend the rights of Filipino workers and call for the junking of the anti-terror law.

Online

• 1 to 4 pm, webinar via Youtube and Facebook Live: Dakila, a youth and artists’ organization, will be discussing the fight against disinformation during the pandemic through its webinar “Let’s Talk about Facts!” Those interested to attend can register at https://bit.ly/FreeXPNov30.

• 6 pm, theatrical play via YouTube: Dulaang UP, an academic theater group, is bringing the play Teatro Porvenir online. The play, focusing on Bonifacio and the Katipuneros, will premiere on Dulaang UP’s YouTube channel.

– with reports from Bea Sancio/Rappler.com

Do you know of other activities that will be held on Bonifacio Day? Send them to move.ph@rappler.com!