State, Catholic schools to mobilize thousands on Sunday rally
Student organizations from different state universities and private, Catholic schools are now gearing up for the mammoth prayer rally on December 17.
Led by the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and Manila Student Councils and the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Miriam College , convenors of the Youth Against Charter Change and Tyranny (Y-CHAT) and the Kabataan Party said they are expecting thousands of students and members of various youth groups to attend Sunday’s anti-Cha-Cha protest.
“Once again, we reaffirm our historic role as catalysts of change and vow to be at the forefront of the nation’s crusade with other marginalized sectors to defend our democracy and our future,” Kabataan Party president and Y-CHAT convenor Raymond Palatino said.
Palatino said today also marks the start of their “12 Days of Con-Ass-free Christmas” which comprise a series of different protest actions. The 12-day campaign kicks off with a simultaneous noise barrage and candle lighting in school consortiums in the university belt in front of University of Santo Tomas and Katipunan Avenue in front of Miriam College this afternoon.
“These critical times warrant our defiance and collective action against abusive and greedy power wielders. We are prepared to defend the nation’s future at all cost, even spend our Christmas parties in the streets.”
“As the inheritors of the future, we have the moral and social responsibility to defend democracy and the Constitution from the hands of a few who are willing to compromise the youth and the country’s future for selfish political ends.”
“As future leaders and responsible, we demand integrity and accountability in governance. The shameless ploy of the Arroyo government and its allies in the Lower House to bend the law to push for Cha-Cha further erodes the public’s faith in our democratic institutions. Their brand of politics goes against any acceptable standard of morality.”
“We call on our fellow youth to go to Luneta on Sunday and continue the battle for responsible and honest governance and genuine social transformation.”