Stop the Killings in the Philippines Campaign
Vancouver Local Steering Committee
Media Release

Coffins will symbolize killings in march today Filipino and other activists to gather in All Souls’ Day commemorative march

November 1 , 2006

VANCOUVER, Canada – Mock coffins splattered in red paint will be carried by protesters today in a march to commemorate and honour the victims of political killings in the Philippines.

Protesters will gather at 6:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, November 1, at Main Street and 18th Avenue in the East side of Vancouver.  They will march North along Main Street stopping in front of Saint Patrick’s church, proceeding to Kingsgate Mall at Broadway and Kingsway to hear family and friends of those killed speak about the killings.  A solidarity evening will follow at the Organizing Centre, 672 East Broadway.

Known as All Souls’ Day, November 1 is traditionally celebrated in the Philippines and in many other countries throughout Latin and Central America to honour and remember loved ones who have died.  According to local human rights activists, there are now 778 victims of extra-judicial killings and over 100 disappeared in the Philippines since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001.

The action is being organized by the local steering committee of the Stop the Killings in the Philippines campaign.  Four delegates to the Canadian Fact-Finding Mission who will leave for the Philippines next week on a mission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses will be at the rally.  They will be joined by several other delegates from across Canada on the week-long mission, which has received the endorsement of local politicians.

Organizers of the event include the BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Bus Riders’ Union, Grassroots Women, SIKLAB-BC (Advance and Uphold the Rights of Overseas Filipino Workers), Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance, Filipino Nurses Support Group and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle.

The action also follows the launching last Monday of the Permanent People’s Tribunal: Second Session on the Philippines in the Netherlands where an indictment against the Arroyo government is being heard.

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Members of the media and public are cordially invited to attend these events.

Please contact: Sheila Farrales or Ted Alcuitas for more information at: 604-215-1103 or email: bcchrp@kalayaancentre.net