Progressive and advocate groups on Saturday, May 4, called for the immediate release of Mayo Uno 6, or the six rallyists who were arrested for alleged violations during their protests at the US Embassy on Labor Day, May 1.
The groups continuously called for the freedom of the arrested rallyists through their social media accounts, as they sincerely asked for kind donations that they could contribute to meet the legal needs of the six rallyists.
“Free Mayo Uno 6! Drop the charges!" the protesters said as they held another protest in front of the headquarters of the Manila Police District (MPD) on Friday, May 3.
The rallyists showed placards where some of the written messages were: “Stop the attacks on youth activists”, “Activism is not terrorism”, “Free Mayo Uno 6!”, “Free all political prisoners”, “Panagutin ang Philippine National Police (Hold the Philippine National Police accountable)”, “Ibasura ang gawa-gawang kaso laban sa Mayo Uno 6 (Drop all the accusations against the Mayo Uno 6)," among others.
“Ngayon MPD ang mga estudyante at kabataan ng UP Manila ay galit at naniniwala kaming hindi rito magtatapos ang aming paglaban dahil sa laksa-laksang lakas ng kabataan at estudyante. Buo pa rin ang aming loob para ipanawagan ang mga karapatan sa loob at labas pa man ng aming unibersidad (Now MPD, the students and youth of UP Manila are angry, and we believe that this is not the end of our fight because of the strength of the youth and students. We are still determined to call for the rights inside and outside our university),” the UP Manila rallyists said.
“Hindi nagtatapos dito ang aming pagkilos dahil igigiit namin ang aming akademikong karapatan, ang aming freedom of speech, ang aming freedom of association and organization dahil kailanman ay hindi naging krimen ang pagsulong sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino. Lehitimo ang isinasagawang pagkilos ng mga manggagawa't mamamayan. Lehitimo ang nararanasan naming hirap dahil sa mga pasistang katulad ninyo (Our action does not end here because we will assert our academic rights, our freedom of speech, and our freedom of association and organization because calling for the rights of every Filipino has never been a crime. The actions of workers and citizens are true. The hardships we are experiencing because of fascists like you are true),” they added.
The six rallyists, four of whom are UP students, were arrested by the MPD after a commotion ensued between the authorities and protesters along Kalaw Avenue as they attempted to go near the US Embassy to call for a wage hike on Labor Day.
Firefighters also used water cannons to stop the protesters who were trying to breach the police officers blocking their way.
As of this writing, the six arrested were still detained at the MPD Custodial Center.
MPD Spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines said in a radio interview on May 1, that the six were arrested for violating Revised Penal Code 151 for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority and Revised Penal Code 115 for conspiracy and proposal to commit treason.
Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/1/militant-groups-call-for-wage-hike-on-labor-day-protests