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Militants prepare a different kind of ‘red carpet’ welcome for Bush
“The world’s number one terrorist will get the kind of welcome he deserves. We will welcome him with red, fiery protests.”
Thus declared the militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in a forum at the Balai Kalinaw in UP Diliman today as various anti-war advocates discuss preparation for the local protests to welcome the arrival of United States President George W. Bush.
Bush is bound for the country on October 18 before going to Thailand for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Conference Summit. “This early, the Arroyo government has been preparing its red carpet welcome for the US head of state. This includes barring militant groups holding any kind of protest actions.l Last week, more than 30 tallyists have been arrested and hundreds were injured for conducting demonstrations and similar gatherings against the World Trade Organization Conference and other US impositions.”
KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said that Bush’s arrival is a clear indication of GMA’s relentless puppetry to US. Despite popular clamor to uphold national sovereignty over neocolonial control, the government even allows the strengthening of US control on our economy and state of affairs. He added, “Arroyo’s desperation to cling power makes it easier for US to enforce dictates on her government.”
Labog emphasized that the recent violence exhibited by the Philippine National Police against peaceful protest actions and mass mobilizations were indeed part of the red carpet welcome for Bush. He said the government aims to silence all opposition in time for Bush’s arrival. “Arroyo wants to project a state of political stability. She wants to preserve the image of her so-called strong republic despite the fact that more sectors are directing serious criticisms and complaints against her leadership.”
KMU, together with national political party list ANAKPAWIS and other militant orgnizations will file criminal charges against police elements responsible for the series of violence inflicted upon rallyists.
“We are determined to push through with our planned actions. We will practice our constitutional right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly against the tyrannical ‘no permit, no rally’ policy imposed by Malacanang,” Labog said.
They will start the month long protest actions against Bush and Arroyo with the commemoration of the Martial Law declaration. On September 22, trade union organizations and federations will voice out their opposition to the increasing cases of trade union repression and state fascism.
KMU will also reiterate its call for the immediate resignation of President Arroyo and the setting up of a caretaker government to put a stop to the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. “De facto Martial Law is already in state under GMA’s regime. We must continue to assert our demand for a truly democratic government free from foreign dictates where the voices of ordinary people are respected and heard, ” Labog concluded.