Members of the Filipino community and Canadian public rally at the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver continuing the call to "Oust Arroyo" and bringing a letter from returning delegates to the International Solidarity Mission in the Philipines which found Philippine President Arroyo guilty of crimes against humanity.

National Statement of overseas Filipinos in Canada

National Statement of Overseas Filipinos in Canada on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines

September 21, 2005

On the 33rd Anniversary of the Martial Law Proclamation in the Philippines, overseas Filipinos in Canada honor the millions of Filipinos who fiercely advanced the movement for national democracy and social liberation of the Philippines. This movement, the greatest and central target of martial law’s iron hand, endured 14 dark years of fascist state terrorism where nearly 30,000 critics and suspected activists were killed, abducted, tortured, displaced, or unjustly detained. We, as overseas Filipinos, draw inspiration from the Filipino people’s militant resistance, particularly the First Quarter Storm, and we shall continue to carry forward the struggle for a genuine and free Philippines.

Although Martial Law was lifted, the Filipino people continue to face repression and fascist rule with succeeding presidencies.

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