Why not a nationwide, real ‘Solidarity Walk’?
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:28:00 02/26/2008
The Feb. 20 front page photo of Gloria Macapagal taking a “Solidarity Walk” with her Cabinet should have been captioned “The March of the Dark Side.”
Joking aside, it’s time for the “Jedis” to show the sentiment of the majority of Filipinos about truth and the Arroyo administration. The call of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for an “interfaith rally for truth, justice and accountability” in Rizal Park on Feb. 29, 2008 gives us all a great opportunity to demonstrate our true sentiment with a real Solidarity Walk of people from all communities in and outside Metro Manila (similar to the long march of the Sumilao farmers). The participants will converge in Rizal Park (Luzon) and in strategic places in the Visayas and Mindanao on Feb. 29 in time for the interfaith rally.
This means that, for those in the provinces, they will have to start marching for the Rizal Park rally or towards their destination a few days before Feb. 29. It is important that this Solidarity Walk, which will have a number of starting points, will be well-covered by media. If not, the participants will experience the usual police and military “zeal” in harassing and blocking anti-Arroyo protestors from reaching their destination.
The forces of the Dark Side always operate in secrecy. The Jedis live in the light and in truth.
Let us stage the Solidarity Walk and launch this from various places in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao -- for truth, justice and accountability and for real change in government and in society, for the benefit of the poor.
May the force be with us.
MIGUEL RENOVADO (via email)
|
