(Same old calls to the government) Urban poor militants repair old streamers, posters for big event tomorrow

NEWS RELEASE I July 24, 2011

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Commonwealth Avenue dwarfs ordinary protest streamers.

Militant urban poor group Kadamay, representing the millions of urban poor Filipinos, remain true to its sector and is thrift in reusing old streamers used on previous SONA mobilizations.

"SONA mobilization is a big annual action that needs streamers bigger than those usually used on ordinary prop actions. It costs a lot to make new streamers for SONA every year," Carlito Badion, the group national vice chairpeson says. 

On PNoy's big SONA, the urban poor militants will carry two 15-yard long red streamers with calls, 'Lagutin ang Tanikala ng Kahirapan' (Break the bond of Poverty)  and 'Itigil ang Demolisyon' (Stop Demolition).

Because of the enormous size of letters to be repainted, two liters of paint barely suffice the work. A litter of paint now costs not less than a hundred of pesos, while a yard of the cheapest cloth costs not less than 25 pesos even at bargain stores Divisoria.

"With the urban poor being severely affected by unabated price hikes of basic commodities, we opt to reuse old streamers for tomorrow's event. Anyway, nothing has change with our our calls to the government," said Badion.

On July 25, urban poor demonstrators will hold a 'funeral march' from Litex Road along Commonwealth Ave to Batasang Pambansa. Dressed in black shirts, the group will march carrying the big "Lagutin ang Tanikala ng Kahirapan' streamer behind a life-size dummy of coffin with Aquino's name on its marker. The group said the coffin, made from old plackard and scrap materials, symbolizes for the death of Aquino's promise to of change for the poor.

Another group of urban poor demonstrators will march to Batasan coming from the North and East Triangle in Quezon City. Urban poor settlers from this area will carry the big streamer of 'Itigil and Demolisyon' with other urban poor who face threats of eviction from their communities. They too will carry dummy coffins to highlight their call to stop violent demoilton of urban poor communities after two barricade leaders in defense of their community were killed by some Araneta-hired security guards.

"With our big streamer, PNoy may not personally see our call and hear our issues. But the passers-by and the media, hopefully will." Badion said.

"It's the people marching behind these streamers and shouting our call that counts.

"We expect a bigger number of urban poor to flock Commonwealth Ave tomorrow on Aquino's second SONA, and in the coming days as the plight of the urban poor and the ordinary people worsens," Badion ended.

Reference: Carlito Badion, National Vice Chairperson (09393873736)