activism

Defend the Defenders; Activism is Not a Crime: Stop the Political Vilification and Harassment of Human Rights & Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Defenders in Ifugao, Cordillera, Philippines

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For Immediate Release

Press Statement

March 23, 2015

Reference: Joelle Eliza Lingat, Chairperson, Anakbayan New Jersey

201-675-8278, anakbayannj@gmail.com

Defend the Defenders; Activism is Not a Crime: Stop the Political Vilification and Harassment of Human Rights & Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Defenders in Ifugao, Cordillera, Philippines

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Anakbayan New Jersey condemns the increased political vilification and surveillance of members and leaders of the Ifugao Peasant Movement (IPM), barangay officials, local organizations, and indigenous people’s rights advocates. As activists ourselves, we believe in the basic rights of individuals and organizations to freely express their political beliefs and to advance their peoples’ rights in the Philippines, the U.S., and across the world.

As of the last quarter of 2014, there has been an increase in the ostracization and red-baiting of local people’s organizations as communist fronts or members of the New Peoples Army (NPA). Not only are these accusations false, but they attempt to turn the public against these community advocates as “enemies of the State” or “terrorists.” This is a direct result of the Philippine government’s counter-insurgency policy, Oplan Bayanihan, which continues to uphold a culture of impunity and injustice.

History has shown that increased political vilification is a prelude to illegal arrests based on trumped up charges, enforced disappearance, and even extrajudicial killings. After the Philippine Army’s release of a “Target List,” William Bugatti, one of those listed, was extrajudicially killed on March 25, 2014. It is a grave injustice to demonize these individuals and organizations that have dedicated their lives to empowering the oppressed, poor, and most vulnerable to government neglect through social services and livelihood assistance.

Those targeted are: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Cordillera People’s Alliance, Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera, Montanosa Research and Development Center, Amianan Salakniban, Katinnulong Dagiti Umili iti Amianan, Tebtebba, Igorota Foundation, and more. Among the individuals are: Nestor Peralta, Claudine Panayo, Billy Karty, Ben Calingayan, Edwin Bumolyad, Nonoy Bangtiwen, Dick Tangid, Ricardo Mayumi, James Tayaban, and Brandon Lee.

The last person named on this list, Brandon Lee, is of particular relevance to us as a former member of the League of Filipino Students – San Francisco State University. He entered college as an everyday student and left as an activist in service of the people. Not even Filipinx, this Chinese American man found a place within our homeland in a way that very many Filipinx youth in the U.S. have never even engaged with. He has come a long way from his first exposure program to the Philippines as he has permanently moved to work as a defender of indigenous peoples’ rights with his wife and daughter.

However, this is not the story of a single person, or even a single region of the Philippines. It is of a culture of impunity that is plaguing the homeland our families have been ripped from. Political vilification and military repression extends from the northernmost tip of Luzon to the southernmost tip of Mindanao, and in most recent incidents, from Ifugao to Mamasapano. Our very own members of Anakbayan New Jersey have integrated with students whose schools have been bombed and farmers whose lands have been stolen.

There have been too many “final straws.”

It is our duty as Filipinx Americans of the diaspora to stand in solidarity with our Filipinxs back home in our demand of truth, accountability, and justice of the Philippines government and the especially the president, BS Aquino. We also call on the American taxpayers to demand that the US government cut all military aid to the Philippines. We demand an end to BS Aquino’s bloody counter-insurgency campaign, Oplan Bayanihan. We also demand that the Philippine government respect human rights and adhere to international humanitarian law. End the culture of impunity! Long live international solidarity!###

2014 Year In Review: Lumalakas! Lumalawak! Lumalaban!

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Thank you for supporting Anakbayan-USA in another empowering year of serving the people. Let us wrap up the 2014 by going through the highlights of this year.

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Early this year, we saw the growing unity among Filipino-American youth and students with the formation of Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network, a national network of Filipino-American youth and students in response to the devastation of typhoon Haiyan.

In March, we were able to launch coordinated actions to condemn the murder of Freddie Ligiw, a member of Anakbayan Abra, and his family by the fascist Armed Forces of the Philippines. Anakbayan chapters across the country scrambled to organize indignation protests. We were able to highlight the ongoing human rights violations and the need to cut US military aid to the Philippines.

Justice for Freddie Ligiw Rally in San Francisco, March 2014
Justice for Freddie Ligiw Rally in NYC, March 2014
Justice for Freddie Ligiw Rally in Los Angeles, March 2014

In June, we held our first ever national training with the goal of further strengthening our capacity to organize and wage campaigns. This was due to demand from our organizers on the ground and also a necessity as we prepare to contribute in a big way to the advancement of the National Democratic movement. Around 100 Filipino youth and student activists from across the country convened in San Francisco State University on a two-day training and sharing of best strategies and experiences. The workshops ranged from conducting social investigation, solid mass organizing, grassroots fundraising to waging mass campaigns. We also discussed the effects of neo-liberalism on education and the growing problem of student debt.

This summer, our chapters have helped in a big way in the holding of the first youth and student-led relief and rebuilding mission under the banner of Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network. 24 participants joined from Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern California, Mid West and East Coast.

Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network’s Relief and Rebuild Mission, Summer 2014
Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network’s Relief and Rebuild Mission, Summer 2014

In September, our members have participated in the People’s Climate March, biggest climate action held in New York City to demand system change not climate change. We helped unite and mobilize various Filipino organizations to take a stand.

At People's Climate March in New York City, September 2014

At People’s Climate March in New York City, September 2014

Also in September we have made the headlines by confronting BS Aquino at his speaking engagement at Columbia University. We have exposed the corruption of Typhoon Haiyan donations, the ongoing struggle of farmers in Hacienda Luisita and the continued policy of repression and killing of activists.

In November, we have helped organize a national week of action to commemorate the first year of Typhoon Haiyan with Kapit Bisig Kabataan Network. We also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kabataang Makabayan. Cultural performances and discussions were held across the country to study and uphold the legacy and revolutionary vision of Kabataang Makabayan.

This year we have seen the strengthening of established chapters and the creation of new ones. We have seen the rise of new leaders in all our chapters but notable are the elections of new Executive Committees of New York, New Jersey and Silicon Valley chapters. We have also established new chapters in the Inland Empire and Long Beach, California.

As an international movement, we also have to mention that this year we were able to convene the leaders of Anakbayan chapters from United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and the Philippines to strengthen coordination and share experiences and best practices.

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Anakbayan Philippines, Melbourne, USA, Netherlads and Canada

In recognition of our internationalist duty and the need to build cooperation and unity with other youth and students and people’s organizations, we have advanced our solidarity work. We have sent delegates to United We Dream’s congress in Arizona last February. We have also sent a delegate to the United States Student Association congress in California. We’ve sent delegates to the National Students for Justice in Palestine Conference in Massachusetts and have linked arms with youth and students in various mobilizations on various issues: in defense of refugee migrant children and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We have also established communications with the National Students for Justice in Palestine, Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlán (MECHA), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and many more.

At Millions March Against Police Brutality in NYC, December 2014

We have also seen the growing militancy of actions in confronting the enemies of our people. We’ve used sit-ins, mud-stenciling and lightning rallies to expose BS Aquino and uplift the voices of our people back home.

There are lots of challenges to overcome, lessons to be learned and work to be done. We are ever more committed to advancing our people’s struggle for liberation and democracy. Onwards to 2015! Onwards to more victories!

Honor in the Line of Fire: Why our protest against the Philippine president is justified

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“The line of fire is a place of honor.”

–Lean Alejandro, Youth Activist in the Philippines

In the spirit of the countless generations of progressive and militant activists that have dared to stand up to state repression in the Philippines, community organizers here in the United States chose to confront Philippine President BS Aquino during his (unwelcome) visit to both New York City and San Francisco. On September 23rd, three activists publicly criticized Aquino and his failures to the Filipino people during a forum held by Columbia University. A protest led by the organizations of which these activists are a part was held simultaneously outside the university hall. On September 24th, progressive organizations based in the Bay Area rallied outside of a Wells Fargo building that Aquino was in. Anakbayan Silicon Valley (ABSV) holds the utmost respect for the individuals and organizations that stood in the line of fire to oppose and expose the crimes of the Aquino administration, and we are honored to call these people our kasamas, our comrades.

The actions at Columbia University and the streets of San Francisco are not isolated events, nor are they the work of any one individual, as the mainstream media paints them to be. A history of oppression faced by the Filipino people has led to the the formation of organizations that represent all sectors of society, from workers to peasants, youth to educators, womyn to queer-identified, and everything in between. Those that confronted Aquino last week are members of such organizations here in the US, and they have been championing the rights and welfare of Filipinos both in the Philippines and in the US for years. ABSV has been organizing in the South Bay not only to protest the criminal negligence and state repression led by the Philippine government, but also to address the issues facing Filipino youth in our communities.

Our collective anger, and the actions that result, stem from centuries of colonial exploitation of the Filipino people, decades of rule by a Philippine state that has chosen profits over people, and generations of families torn apart by forced migration due to landlessness and joblessness in the Philippines. In the last four years of Aquino’s administration alone, we have seen this violence time and time again.

We have seen it in the more than 200 victims of extrajudicial killings and more than 600 victims of illegal arrest and detention.

We have seen it in the failed government response to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, both in the immediate aftermath and in the current conditions on the ground.

We have seen it in the money going into Aquino’s pockets as presidential pork barrel, money that could have been spent for the people.

We have seen it in the continued promotion of a labor export policy that treats people as remittance-generating commodities.

And we have seen it in the government’s blatant denial of national sovereignty for the Filipino people by re-opening US military bases, and by continuing to open the country to foreign industries that do not respect the human rights of the people.

Our demands for genuine change in the Philippines are rooted in this violence. We have an undeniable reason to yell. We have an undeniable reason to rise up. And we have an undeniable right to confront an individual who has played such a large part in countless crimes against the Filipino people. We cannot confine our calls for justice to a Q&A session. We will not wait in a queue. To do so would disrespect the gravity of the struggle faced by our kababayan and their clamor for a society that upholds and protects their rights. And it is the people to whom we should be showing our respect. Should President Aquino seek to be treated with respect, he must earn it first.

ABSV’s current campaign, Project FLAME (Filipinos Leading A Movement for Empowerment), seeks to provide an opportunity for youth to voice their struggles outside the confines of a classroom, as the brave activists in New York and San Francisco have done. Through a storytelling project within the campaign, we are organizing our community to speak out against the educational violence they face: lack of adequate college admissions guidance; the increasing costs of tuition, even in public schools; the student debt crisis; the inability of youth to find stable jobs to sustain themselves; and the ever increasing dropout rate of Filipino youth due to institutional obstacles. These issues are not isolated from those in the Philippines, with the US spending exponentially more on the military than on our education. This same military budget is going to increased military aid to and military presence in the Philippines, which again have led to countless human rights violations. Whether in the Philippines or in the US, Filipinos are suffering from a system that serves the interests of the minority rather than the majority.

Until the people’s demands are answered, we will continue to educate, organize, and protest, whether inside a university hall or out on the streets. We hope that more people will be emboldened by the actions of our fellow kasamas, if not to join us in protest, then at least to have conversations with us to understand why these protests are organized to begin with. The people’s struggle is not a mere shouting match, it is not a rude interruption. It is a place where the most marginalized and oppressed can speak freely. It is an honorable place to be.

JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOON HAIYAN!
JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF STATE REPRESSION!
SHAME ON BS AQUINO!
CONTINUE THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Thank you for an inspiring 2013! Dare to struggle! Dare to win!

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To all of our friends, family, supporters and allies,

As we are in the first few days of 2014, allow us to say: THANK YOU! Thank you for your continuous support and belief in Anakbayan New Jersey’s work and vision. 2013 wouldn’t have been as successful without you all. Because of this, we are confident to say that we are so ready for 2014. Together, we will continue to dare to struggle and dare to win!

Here are some of our accomplishments this past 2013:

  • Early this year, the Florida 15 Trafficked Filipino workers were granted their T-Visas which allows them to work, adjust their immigration status and even petition their families. Anakbayan NJ played a role in drumming up their case in the media and raising awareness in the community about the realities of labor trafficking. [1]

  • Fought for and won the establishment of the first “in-state” Immigrant Affairs Commission in Jersey City. [2]

  • Raised awareness about the Filipino immigration experience and build support for genuine immigration reform throughout Jersey City and across New Jersey. [3]

  • Helped in gathering support for the Bayanihan Relief & Rehabilitation effort and have successfully convened the first meeting of Taskforce Haiyan New Jersey

  • Last but not the least, Anakbayan NJ helped lead the campaign and win the historic passing of the Tuition Equality Act in New Jersey also known as the New Jersey DREAM Act. [4]

Here are some things we are planning to work in 2014:

  • NJ DREAM Act 2.0! Together with other youth & students in NJ, we’ll be fighting for access to state financial aid for undocumented youth.

  • Student Debt – We are also aiming to take part in the campaign against student debt

  • Help for the Philippines – Organizing for a solidarity & relief mission to the victims of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

  • We’ll be continuing our work on immigrant and workers rights by organizing Filipino immigrants and workers

  • We will continue educating, organizing and mobilizing the youth for the rights and welfare of our communities here in New Jersey and back home in the Philippines.

We wouldn’t have accomplished all of these without you. We hope you continue to support our work through 2014 and beyond in serving our people. Again, salamat! Mabuhay and maligayang bagong taon! (Thank you! Long live and happy new year!)

Here are some ways you can help and support Anakbayan:

1. JOIN – Join the movement! Become a member of Anakbayan now.

I WANT TO JOIN ANAKBAYAN!

2. DONATE – Make a donation ($5, $10, $25, $100+ ) to Anakbayan New Jersey and put on note “for Anakbayan New Jersey”

I WANT TO DONATE!

3. FOLLOW – Stay updated and spread the word about us through social network accounts (twitter, facebook: Anakbayan NJ, Anakbayan NY)

4. RELIEF & REBUILD – Help support our relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by the Super storm Haiyan by donating to NAFCON’s Bayanihan Relief and Rehabilitation Program.

I WANT TO HELP

With love and solidarity,

Anakbayan New Jersey Family 🙂

A Migrant’s Message to Fellow Migrant Workers: Unite and Keep Up the Fight!

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A Migrant’s Message to Fellow Migrant Workers: Unite and Keep Up the Fight!

By Cecil Delgado

Mother, Migrant Worker, “Florida 15” Labor Trafficking Survivor, Activist

Speech to NJ youth and students, ex-Braceros at the International Assembly of Migrants and Refugees 4 (IAMR4) Information Session at St. Peter’s University on September 14, 2013

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Good afternoon everyone, Buenas Tardes a todos los braceros (good afternoon to all the braceros). Ako po si Cecil Delgado (I am Cecil Delgado), a mother of an 11yr old boy, a migrant worker and part of Florida 15, a Human Trafficking Survivor.

A month ago, I was asked by Yves Nibungco [secretary general of Filipino youth activist group, Anakbayan New Jersey] to share our story for the nth time. At first, I was hesitant to do this. I was scared I might say things that people wouldn’t understand. I was scared that I might fail to deliver the message. Then I remembered that around 2007, in front of 10 corporate officers and almost 200 crew members of different nationalities, I put my employment at risk by standing up and asking questions on behalf of the crew members who didn’t have the courage to speak for themselves. I never thought raising questions to management could be a reason to send me home, a reason for them to end my career as a Seafarer.

The company decided to send me home because they considered me as a threat, that I am an activist. At first, I wasn’t sure about that [being an activist], but I was sure of one thing- that I stood up and fought for I what I knew was right.

That is the reason I am standing in front of you- because by telling MY story, or OUR [Florida 15’s] story, I would be able to inspire and encourage 200 more victims to come out of the shadows, or maybe 200 more braceros to seek justice.

I hope that by sharing our story, people will be inspired and encouraged, just as how Leticia Moratal and Jackie Aguirre’s [Filipino survivors of labor trafficking in New York] stories inspired us.

As I was saying, aside from working in different hotels and high-end restaurants in the Philippines, I was a Seafarer before. I ventured into sea-based employment because aside from providing a good salary, I also got to visit different countries. Unfortunately, it ended only after 4 years of working for them.

I was helping my family run a business back in the Philippines when a friend of mine encouraged me to apply at an agency that will send workers abroad. Luckily, after a month of processing, I was hired to work as a waitress. March 2008 was when I first set my feet on Miami, Florida. 2008 was the year I migrated to the United States as a contract worker.

I personally decided to migrate simply because, as what everybody says- “We want a better future for our family”. A future that my country doesn’t offer, a future that you cannot find in the Philippines.

My initial intention was only to work, earn and save, but I ended up to be a Human Trafficking victim or a Victim of Unfair Labor Practices. I couldn’t believe that I can be a victim of such thing, because when i was applying for the job, everything seemed legitimate, fair and legal- complete trainings, paperwork, and documents from the United States were handed to me. I also didn’t know that the term “Labor Trafficking” existed. Before, whenever I hear the word “Trafficked Victim”, sex trafficking came to mind, but I was wrong.

It was only after 3 years after having resigned as an Executive Assistant of Jose Villanueva, a Filipino employer who owned SanVilla Ship, the agency that took us from the Philippines and brought us here, that it hit me- Human Trafficking is really happening here in the United States.

I never worked as a full time waitress, which my contract stated. Rather, I worked as a 24/7 Executive Assistant. In that role, I witnessed everything- payroll discrepancies, tax fraud, visa fraud, forced labor, unauthorized deductions, etc. I was also forced to multitask and maximize my time to minimize my loads. I was working 60-70 hours/wk, no overtime pay, paid less, managing almost 100 employees and attending to their concerns, meeting clients here and there, scouting, driving, managing timesheets- you name it! I did it all by myself. My experience and knowledge of the situation made it easy for me to seek Atty. Vinluan’s [Florida 15’s attorney] advice through the endorsement of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). Atty. Vinluan then validated that I was a Human Trafficking victim, along with 14 others from SanVilla Ship.

A family member once asked me if working abroad is easy or hard. The answer always depends on one’s current situation. Let’s just say it’s both easy and hard. Easy because you are earning more than what you can earn in your home country, because you can buy what you want whenever you want it, and easy because you can visit different places and meet new friends along the way.

On the other hand, it’s hard because, aside from being away from your family for an indefinite period of time, you are also putting your life in danger or putting your future at risk. Death of a family member, broken families, and separation of husband and wife are becoming part of the “unwritten contract” for migrant workers.

Being in another country is always a gamble. Almost like playing a card game; magkamali ka ng balasa, next thing you know ikaw na ung nasa box (if you shuffle the cards wrong, you end up being trapped in the box). Minsan masarap din maging migrante dahil madalas we send “balikbayan boxes” to our families, pero minsan nakakatakot din, dahil minsan ang MIGRANTE na mismo ang laman ng box (Sometimes, it feels good being an immigrant worker because we can often send “balikbayan boxes” to our families; but sometimes it is scary because many migrants also sent home in boxes [coffins].)

What is most difficult from a Mother’s/ Migrant Worker’s/ Victim’s point of view, is when you fight your battle without seeing your Government in the equation. They always forget the fact that their purpose is to first, protect the migrant workers, ensure that we are safe, ensure that we are getting the assistance and help that we need, and most importantly, to ensure na tayo po ay makakabalik pa ng buhay sa bansa nating pinaggalingan (that we are able to go back home alive, thriving).

Our case has been running for 2 years now and the Philippine government has only helped us once, with our persistence. Until now, we are still waiting for the rest of the legal assistance fund for our lawyer which they promised a year ago.

Being a Migrant Worker is not as easy as what our families, or society, think. The Florida 15 filed its case against our former employer in 2011. February of this year, we received our T-Visa and employment cards. If it wasn’t because of these Community organizations and our lawyer who have been helping and never ceased to support us, if it wasn’t because we decided to engage ourselves with them, if it wasn’t because we decided to be united, maybe we’d still be waiting for nothing to this day.

By acting together, we are now reaping the fruits of our collective efforts. Just recently, around July, I finally signed and filed a petition for my son. A son who I haven’t seen in almost 6 years, a son that I haven’t seen play basketball or soccer, a son that I haven’t watched in his swimming competitions…a son who I begged to have but had to leave.

Our Lawyer said he can arrive before this year ends. I don’t know if I should be excited to see him or scared because we may not have the same old connection as before, but I am sure that my son is one reason I have remained strong through these years.

They say “A woman becomes stronger because of the pain she has faced and won”. I believe this also goes to all the Migrant Workers. Everyday, we are facing unseen battles. Don’t step back, move forward and always think that in fighting a battle you either win or lose; but what matters is you chose to stand up and fight for your rights.

To ALL the Migrant Workers out there, times have molded us. We have had enough pain and suffering. This is the time that we need to put our actions together. It may not be an easy path, but things always get better if we are ALL in the fight together.

Muli, ako po si Cecil Delgado (Again, I am Cecil Delgado), a Mother, a Migrant Worker, once a Victim but now a SURVIVOR, and Migranteng Militante (fighting migrant) in rising!

Marami pong salamat at Mabuhay ang Migranteng Manggagawa (Thank you very much and long live the migrant workers)!

~~~~~

The IAMR4 brings to the forefront the voices of migrants and refugees internationally for a 5 day convergence. The conference will counter the United Nation’s High Level Dialogue on migration and development that has historically excluded the true conditions and voices of migrants and refugees. For more information, visit http://iamr4.com/. To register to the IAMR4 conference this coming Oct. 1-5, 2013 in New York City, click here.

We Are Human Beings! We are Not for Sale!
We Refuse to Let Corporate Agendas Plan our Lives!
We Speak for Ourselves!

DREAMers SCORE VICTORY FOR TUITION EQUITY AT JERSEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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Jersey City, NJ- Supporters of the Tuition Equity for DREAMers bill packed the city hall on February 27 in Jersey City as the council put a resolution in support of Tuition Equity to a vote. A dozen DREAMers and supporters gave powerful testimonials at the public hearing which ended with a unanimous city council vote in favor of the resolution. 

About 75 DREAMers, activists, church leaders and community supporters showed up to rally in front of the Jersey City City Hall on Wednesday evening to demand the council’s approval of resolution “J”, co-authored by Councilman-at-large, Rolando Lavarro, Jr. and Councilwoman Nidia Lopez. They marched around Grove St. chanting, “undocumented, unafraid!” and “Up, up with education! Down, down with deportations!” before lining up to enter the City Hall chambers.

Resolution J declares that Jersey City’s local government supports the Tuition Equity for DREAMers bills and urges the state legislature to pass A1659/S2355 and A3509/S2479.  A1659/S2355 would allow almost all New Jersey High School Graduates access to In-State Tuition rates, regardless of immigration status. A3509/S2479 calls for In-State Tuition rates plus access to state financial aid at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities for anyone with a high school diploma or GED from an educational institution in New Jersey regardless of immigration status.

“The community must realize that undocumented or not, every human being has rights to education, a pathway to legitimately contribute to, and benefit from, American society. Tuition Equity in NJ is just a stepping stone in addressing the larger immigration issue in the country. Anakbayan, New Jersey United Students, New Jersey Dream Act Coalition and our allied organizations are taking this step in continuing the fight against the illegalization and criminalization of immigrants. We are demanding an end to modern-day segregation,” said Bea Sabino, Chairperson of Anakbayan New Jersey.

“We welcome this decision by the Jersey City Council. 38.2% of the city’s population is foreign-born. It is clear that Jersey City owes its rich diversity and revitalizing economy to immigrants. The city council recognized that through the hard work of all the DREAMers and supporters who came out to the meeting. It is a proud moment for Jersey City,”Sabino concluded.

Jersey City is the first municipality in all of New Jersey to support Tuition Equity for DREAMers. It now serves as an example to other cities across the state in taking a stand for a person’s right to affordable and quality education, regardless of immigration status.

Anakbayan is calling on Filipino-American youth and the rest of the community to get involved in the NJ Tuition Equity for DREAMers (NJ-TED) campaign now. If you or your organization would like to join the NJ-TED Coalition, please email Anakbayan New Jersey at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com or Giancarlo Tello, Campaign Manager, at GiancarloT@njdac.org.

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Thank you to all participating organizations:  Anakbayan NJ, NJ Dream Act Coalition, NJ United Students, American Friends Service Committee, Action 21, Mujeres Unidas En Accion, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, RAISE, St. Peter’s University Social Justice Program, New Jersey City University Gothic Knights Grassroots, and community at large

Thank You for an Awesome Year! Keep Serving the People!

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To all our friends, allies and supporters,

We want to thank you for a memorable and productive 2012. We also want to wish you a happy and meaningful New Year. Throughout 2012, you have supported our work in educating, organizing, and mobilizing for our people’s rights and welfare, both here in the US and in the Philippines.
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Here are some of our accomplishments for this year

  • Raised awareness and organized community support for the fight against labor trafficking, particularly for the case of the Florida 15 workers [1]
  • Raised awareness on the environmental situation in the Philippines; gathered hundreds of signatures in support of environmental protection in the Philippines and raised thousands of funds for relief effort back home during times of calamity (Typhoon Sendong, Typhoon Pablo) [2]
  • Raised awareness and mobilized community to take a stand in defense of Civil Liberties and against the Cyber Crime Prevention Law in the Philippines
  • Organized and participated in local grassroots relief work in New Jersey and New York after hurricane Sandy [3]
  • Held community forums on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Immigration Reform [4]
  • Participated in the founding of Anakbayan-USA, a progressive national Filipino/Filipino-American youth movement in the United States [5]

We wouldn’t have accomplished all of these without you. We hope you continue to support our work through 2013 and beyond in serving our people. Again, salamat! Mabuhay and maligayang bagong taon! (Thank you! Long live and happy new year!)

With love and solidarity,
Anakbayan New York & New Jersey Family 🙂

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Here are some ways you can help and support Anakbayan:
1. Join the movement! Become a member of Anakbayan now. Email us at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com
2. Make a donation ($5, $10, $25+ ) to Anakbayan by clicking here
3. Stay updated and spread the word about us through social network accounts (twitter, facebook: Anakbayan NJ, Anakbayan NY)
4. Support our on-going fundraiser for the survivors of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) in the Philippines by clicking here

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PLEASE DONATE TO OUR ON-GOING TYPHOON RELIEF EFFORT

And in the spirit of the holiday season, we are asking for donations for relief efforts for Typhoon Pablo which hit the Philippines early December and has affected over 5 million people. All funds raised will go towards BALSA Mindanao, a network of churches, schools, and disaster response working to provide relief efforts to support typhoon victims. Funds can be sent online or by mail, through the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). Click here for the full details:http://nafconusa.org/2012/12/nafcon-ramps-up-relief-efforts-to-support-typhoon-victims/

NAFCON has established cash and check collections centers throughout the U.S and will take donations via Paypal at http://tinyurl.com/nafconrelief3.

For mailed checks please make payable to “Tulong Sa Bayan” and send to 519 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.On memo please write: NAFCON Bayanihan Relief and your city of residence. Donations of $250 or more will be tax deductible.  Please include return address with donations.

For more information on regional collection centers, fundraising and relief activities in your area please contact NAFCON regional coordinators nearest you or go to our website.

Northeast:    Anne Corotan          ne@nafconusa.org      (516) 901 – 1832

Midwest:       Lorena Buni             mw@nafconusa.org    (224) 678-1897

Norcal:           Ryan Leano              nc@nafconusa.org      (626) 534 – 4971

Socal:              Alex Montances       sc@nafconusa.org       (253) 381 – 7444

Local Monetary Drop/Send Sites All checks payable to “Tulong Sa Bayan”

Northeast: Philippine Forum: 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY

Midwest: Good Shepherd Congregation: 4707 W. Pratt Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712

Norcal: Filipino Community Center: 4681 Mission St. SF, Ca 94112

Socal: Tulong Sa Bayan 519 S. Spring St., LA, CA 90013

 

7: Anakbayan Anniversary Celebration

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We invite you to Anakbayan’s anniversary celebration.:D

Established in 2005, Anakbayan New York and Anakbayan New Jersey are proud to mark another year of serving our communities and contributing to the Filipino youth and student movement in the United States. 

Come through as we celebrate the progress that we made in the past year, and our vision to move forward into the next. 

Also, join us as we honor the legacy of Filipino revolutionary, Andres Bonifacio, who is alive in our enduring struggle for a society that is genuinely free and truly serves the people. 

WHEN: Friday | Nov. 30 | 6pm – 9pm

WHERE: Project Reach
39 Eldridge Street, 4th floor
(between Canal St and Hester St)
New York, NY 10002

* Take the B or D train to Grand St

RSVP here
Also, come to our AFTER PARTY, click here 

For more information:
E-mail: anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com
Bea Sabino (NJ): 201 779 6886
Jeremy De Nieva (NY): 213 880 4569
Website: anakbayannynj.wordpress.com