SING FOR CHANGE: A Karaoke Benefit for GABRIELA WOMENS PARTY
with special guest, EMMI de JESUS
Monday, April 26 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
$20 for Filipino buffet and unlimited karaoke songs!
Krystal’s Restaurant and Bar Cafe
81 E. 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue
RSVP TODAY by emailing your first and last name to firenyc.rsvp@gmail.com
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114440538578163&ref=ts
Please join FIlipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE-NYC) and Emmi de Jesus, the second nominee of Gabriela Women’s Party and vice-chairperson of GABRIELA- Philippines, at the new Krystal’s Restaurant and Bar Cafe in Manhattan! This intimate round table discussion is a benefit for the GABRIELA Women’s Party, and de Jesus will address the various concerns over the upcoming May 2010 Elections in the Philippines, all over the sweet sounds of your karaoke repertoire!
Admission price includes all-you-can-eat Filipino buffet and karaoke songs, RSVP (email your name to firenyc.rsvp@gmail.com ) strongly recommended!
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For Immediate Release
April 22, 2010
References: Valerie Francisco, GABRIELA-USA Vice-Chair, valeriefrancisco@gmail.com;
Gary Labao, BAYAN USA Regional Coordinator, ny@bayanusa.org
NYC ‘Sings for Change’ in the Philippines
Karaoke to Raise Funds for Gabriela Women’s Party
NEW YORK— Filipinos in New York are welcoming Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) 2010 Congressional Candidate Emmi de Jesus when the latter stops by the city for a brief visit next week. A fundraiser for GWP and De Jesus’ campaign will be held on Monday, April 26th, 5:30 to 8:30pm at Krystal’s Cafe in Manhattan, located at 81 East 7th Street in the East Village. The event, entitled “Sing for Change”, will be a karaoke benefit sponsored by GABRIELA-USA, the only overseas chapter of GABRIELA Philippines, BAYAN USA, and allied organizations.
Founded in 2003, GWP won a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives in 2004 and two seats in 2007. The party is known for being an ardent critic of the Arroyo government’s foreign and domestic policies, including the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement, and the national counter-insurgency program known as Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL).
A rarity, GWP is perhaps the only all-women’s political party in the world, actively drafting groundbreaking legislation to advance and protect the rights of Filipina women and children. Issues commonly tackled by GWP include human trafficking, prostitution, rape, discrimination, sexual harassment and domestic violence. GWP has also been a pioneer in introducing draft legislation that could finally legalize divorce in the country.
Members of GWP have also been fallen victim to gross human rights abuses under the Arroyo government. These include extrajudicial killings, abductions, and harassment from state security forces. GWP has also consistently criticized rampant graft and corruption in the Philippine government.
With the upcoming May 2010 elections, as well as the scheduled end of the Arroyo presidency and deadline for OBL, GWP anticipates an escalation of human rights abuses coupled with electoral fraud. Concerns are also on the rise over the possibility for a so-called failure of elections.
Co-sponsors for “Sing for Change” include the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, and Anakbayan New York/New Jersey. An event fee of $20 includes a Filipino buffet and unlimited karaoke songs.
RSVP’s are encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, email fire.nyc@gmail.com. ###
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