Youth groups hold “color splash” activity on eve of Papal visit; Pope urged to condemn US intervention wp.me/p2uvTF-1rj On the day before Pope Francis’ arrival, the progressive youth group League of Filipino Students (LFS) joined other youth organizations in a “color splash” demonstration along España Boulevard, in front of the University of Santo Tomas. Students tossed colored powder and filled the street with noise. LFS urged the Pope to support the Filipino people in their fight against poverty, corruption, and social injustice perpetuated by the Aquino administration. ”The Pope is also noted for his strong and motivational statements showing his solidarity with the struggles of the people of the world. His visit moves the Filipino youth to show him the suffering of the poor and ask his support in our fight for accessible social services, education, national sovereignty, and justice and peace,” said LFS National Spokesperson Charlotte Velasco. ”We are looking forward to Pope Francis’ remarks towards corruption, inequality and anti-people policies rife in Philippine society – all of which are perpetrated by the Aquino government,” she continued. The youth group also denounced the Aquino administration’s fierce attempts to cast shadows on its crimes in issues like Yolanda relief and rehabilitation, pork barrel corruption, price hikes, tuition increases, and human rights violations ahead of the Papal visit. ”Aquino’s pretentious preparations and overkill deployment of police and military in Tacloban and Manila proves his desperation to hide his crimes from view. However, the people will do what it takes to show Pope Francis the deplorable situation of the poor under the corrupt regime’s watch,” Velasco said. LFS urged the Pope to heed the youth’s clamor against the mayhem brought by US intervention in the Philippines. The youth group stated that Washington and the Aquino administrations’ pursuit for the new US-RP military treaty, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), translates to an undeclared American reoccupation over the country. ”Decades-long of US military intervention has only benefitted local traitors and foreign businesses while making the Filipino people victims of horrors like genocide, torture, rape, prostitution, and espionage.“ “We ask the Holy Father to condemn the atrocities committed by the US and join our call to junk treaties such as VFA, EDCA and stop US military intervention so that our nation can attain peace,” stated Velasco. LFS hopes that their messages of solidarity will be received by the Pope. More activities including a Youth Camp, Vigil and Gathering are being organized by LFS and other youth groups to welcome the Papal visit. ”Pope Francis’ journey to our country fills the youth with hope and fervor to follow the lessons taught by Christ and take action to end the system wrought with oppression. May his wisdom inspire more Filipinos to cast off forbearance amid suffering and fight for a just and peaceful tomorrow,“ ended Velasco.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 10:18:38 +0000
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