People’s Organization for Progress (POP) in New York for FiRE’s 5th!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TO FiRE!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

The Arturo Schomburg Branch of the People’s Organization for Progress (POP) in New York conveys warmest greetings to Filipinas for Rights & Empowerment (FiRE) on their 5 th anniversary in the struggle for women’s, im/migrants’, and human rights.

POP congratulates the dedication of the women of FiRE for keeping alive the flame of freedom, justice, and equality. Inside New York City, FiRE is remarkable for its affirmation and celebration of culture, its work as a mass people’s organization, and its dedication to internationalism. As woman is the mother of the world, the work of women in all movements against oppression must be recognized for their courage, sacrifice, audacity, and, very importantly, leadership.

FiRE works on the principle that the struggles of oppressed peoples have as fighting for their rights both in the home countries as well as in the diaspora. POP commends FiRE for fighting for the rights of Filipinas in the Philippines, in New York City, and around the world.

HAPPY 5, FiRE!

DARE TO STRUGGLE! DARE TO WIN!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

People’s Organization for Progress

Arturo Schomburg Branch of New York

http://njpop.org/wordpress/

NY/NJ Filipinos Launch Philippine Solidarity Week, Protests Plans of U.S. Military Build-Up in the Philippines

February 1, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference: Yves Nibungco, Regional Coordinator, BAYAN-USA
Contact: bayanusa.ne

NY/NJ Filipinos Launch Philippine Solidarity Week,

Protests Plans of U.S. Military Build-Up in the Philippines

New York, NY- BAYAN-USA launches Philippine Solidarity Week, a week-long series of events that raises awareness and solidarity for the continuing struggle for Filipinos to gain national liberation. As a result of the experiences during the Philippine-American War, the US government and military developed war tactics, torture, killing, occupation, and counter-insurgency operations they have used in many other countries such as in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. This year, Philippine Solidarity Week begins on February 4th, the 113th anniversary of the 1899 Philippine-American War with a rally in front of the Philippine Consulate in New York to protest the proposed U.S. military build-up in the Philippines.

Protest against militarization in the Philippines

Government officials from the U.S. and the Philippines recently confirmed reports by Washington Post regarding ongoing talks of increasing U.S. military operations and stationing in the Philippines. According to an unnamed Philippine military general, the talks allegedly aim to increase drills to test military readiness to protect offshore oil and natural gas platforms in the South China Sea.

This, according to Filipino activists, is a renewed assault on Philippine sovereignty and is more of a threat to Philippine national security. “This is clearly part of the U.S. government’s attempt to maintain its domination over the region’s economic sphere and contain its biggest economic rival, China”, stated BAYAN-USA Chairperson, Bernadette Ellorin. Following the demonstration outside of the Philippine Consulate, BAYAN-USA will be marching to Times Square to join the larger No War on Iran rally, a nationally coordinated event via the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC).

Building Solidarity for the Philippines

Philippine Solidarity Week is organized by BAYAN-USA to raise awareness regarding the struggle of Filipino people back home and to build support for it here in the U.S. It is a whole week of events starting from February 4 onwards, to signify the beginning of the Philippine American war of 1899.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

Stand Against U.S. Imperialist Aggression on Iran & Military Build-up in the Philippines

Description: This Feb. 4, exactly 113 years since the Philippine-American war of 1899, BAYAN-USA calls on the community to come and join us in front of the Philippine Consulate in New York to protest President Benigno Aquino III’s continued puppetry to American governments’ hegemonic schemes. We will be holding a picket in to register our opposition against Aquino’s puppetry, against the planned military build up in the Philippines and the throughout the Asia-Pacific region. We will then be marching to merge with the bigger anti-war on Iran at Times Square.

Venue Information: Feb. 4, 12:00pm-12:30pm, Philippine Consulate General, 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

No War On Iran: National Day of Action

Description: BUILD FEB. 4 EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION TO STOP U.S. WAR AGAINST IRAN

NO WAR! NO SANCTIONS! NO INTERVENTION! NO ASSASSINATIONS

A broad spectrum of U.S.-based anti-imperialist and anti-war organizations, including the IAC, agreed on a Jan. 17 conference call to hold coordinated protests across the country on Saturday, Feb. 4. The demands will be: “No war, no sanctions, no intervention, no assassinations against Iran.”

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012

International Migrants Alliance: 1 Million Signatures Campaign Launch

Description: The International Migrants Alliance (IMA) invites community organizations representing immigrants from different countries to an assembly to coordinate the campaign for the collection of 1 million signatures for a just and humanitarian immigration reform promoting the integration of the undocumented into society, permitting a dignified life, access to education, healthcare, and work without being victims of exploitation, abuse and violence. The petitions will be delivered to the White House and the US Congress.

Venue Information: Feb 5, Sunday, 2:00pm at the Bayanihan Community Center, 40-21 69th St, Woodside, NY 11377; Take 69 St (7), Jackson Hts – Roosevelt Av (E, F, M, R), 74 St – Broadway (7)

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

Philippine Social Realities Exposure Trip 2012 Info Session (Sponsored by NYCHRP)

Description: This summer NYCHRP is going on a Philippine Social Realities Exposure Trip and we want YOU! Join us for a special information session to find out about the awesome summer that is to come!

Venue Information: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11th, 7:00pm; doors open at 6:30pm; at the International Action Center, 55 W. 17th Street / 5th Floor, NYC

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012

NEIGHBORHOOD WORD: “LOVE & SOLIDARITY IN QUEENS”

Pinoy Poets and Writers Celebrate Love Stories, Philippine Independence, and the Filipino-American Community in Queens

Description: FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Please join us for a fun-filled literary and community reading celebrating love stories and love of country. A gathering of acclaimed Pinoy poets and writers come together with Filipino community members in Queens to share fiction, poetry, hip-hop, and more. Join us for a rollicking afternoon of storytelling, camaraderie, and mouth-watering Filipino food!

Venue: Feb 12, Sunday @ 3:00pm at the Bayanihan Community Center, 40-21 69th St, Woodside, NY 11377; Take 69 St (7), Jackson Hts – Roosevelt Av (E, F, M, R), 74 St – Broadway (7)

Monday, Feb. 13, 2012

Portrait of a Freedom Fighter: A Book Launching of the Selected Writings of Jose Maria Sison Vols. 1-4

Description: The Selected Writings of Jose Maria Sison, Volumes 1-4 is a comprehensive compilation of Sison’s writings on socialism, imperialism, war and plunder, peace, terrorism, and peoples resistance spanning over 40 years, a period of time in which Sison served as fiery young leader in the Philippine revolution.

Venue Information: Monday, February 13, 7-9pm at Bluestockings Bookstore, 172 Allen Street (between Stanton and Rivington), New York, New York 10002. Trains: F/M to 2nd Avenue or J/M/Z to Essex/Delancey Sts.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Why Occupy? Teach in @ St. Peter’s College (Social Justice Dept)

Description: St. Peter’s College Social Justice Program and Occupy Jersey City is bringing “WHY OCCUPY: Inspire, Organize, Mobilize For a Brighter Future” to Jersey City! An all-day event on the origins of the Occupy Wall Street Movement and other social movements. Discussions, exhibits, arts, culture, connections and making history. FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Light refreshments will be provided.

Venue Information: Wednesday, February 15, 2012; 8:30am to 1:00pm; McIntyre Lounge, St. Peter’s College, 2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ

For more information and a full listing of events during Philippine Solidarity Week, visit http://www.philippinesolidarity.wordpress.com.

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Learning Together, Growing Together

FiRE sisters and allies at the Educational Discussion Symposium, June 11, 2011

Dear FiRE sisters and allies,

Thank you so much for making the Educational Discussion Symposium on Saturday, June 11 at Hunter College a success!

For all of those who attended, we hope that you had an enriching, agitating, and empowering experience. Our morning session featured “Basic Women’s Orientation”, our intro course, which outlines the socio-historical and political condition of Filipino women in the Philippines and the U.S., AND “We DID Start the FiRE: How to Represent FiRE”, which helped us learn how to make speeches and write press releases that rep the militant Philippine women’s movement. In the afternoon session, we viewed a film called “Modern Heroes, Modern Slaves”. Afterwards, we discussed the Labor Export Policy of the Philippines, and the experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers, particularly Flor Contemplacion and her family.

For those of you who missed the ED Symposium, don’t worry! We have an exciting summer coming up, full of ED’s when we can continue to learn and grow together.

FiREd UP!!!: A Summer ED Series for FiRE members and allies.

—Make-up session for “Basic Women’s Orientation”. Late JUNE or early JULY, TBD. ***IMPORTANT: It will be a “training for trainers”, or an opportunity for folks who have taken BWO before to learn how to facilitate it, and conduct the ED for folks who have yet to take this intro course. If you are interested in sharpening your facilitation skills OR if you haven’t taken this ED yet, please contact Jackie at fire.nyc@gmail.com.***

—Track 1 (beginners) ED “Personal Migration/Migrante Orientation” JULY, TBD

—Track 2 (advanced) ED “Philippine Society and Revolution: A Short Course” JULY, TBD

Please keep a look out for more announcements with details about the EDs!

Thank you again for attending the ED Symposium. If you would like to get more involved in FiRE’s Education Committee, a.k.a. Each One, Teach One, please contact Jackie! To find out how you can get involved in more FiRE activities, please contact Cris at fire.nyc@gmail.com.

Isang Bagsak!

Filipinas in New York City March to Defend Workers Rights on May Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2011

Filipinas in New York City March to Defend Workers Rights on May Day

Reference: Irma Bajar, Chairperson, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment; fire.nyc@gmail.com

New York City – On May 1, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment joined 20,000 people at Union Square with the May 1st Coalition to march for job security, workers rights, and legalization for all. The march ended at Foley Square, where the Coalition was greeted by various unions holding a unified May 1st rally.

Today, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) still suffer from damaging work conditions, exploitation, and government neglect. As a result of unequal U.S. foreign policies, trade agreements, and the cooperation of puppet governments, the working poor in third world countries, and specifically the Philippines are forced to leave and find work elsewhere. The Labor Export Program (LEP) in the Philippines is a government system that currently forces close to 4,000 Filipinos to leave the country everyday, 70% of whom are women. Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment urge all women and their families to join the struggle against forced migration and fight for genuine comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. “We demand an end to the raids and deportation that are separating and hurting our families. We march and stand together with women, immigrants, and workers across all communities to defend the rights of workers, especially the majority of whom fall victim to exploitative situations and are deprived of their basic rights,” said Irma Bajar, Chairperson of FiRE.

The slew of neoliberal policies have resulted in the worst global economic crisis faced since the Great Depression. Workers feel the brunt of this crisis, both citizen and immigrant, and remain vulnerable to exploitation. “It’s definitely a pressing issue in the Filipino community as the majority of our people in the United States are marginalized workers. Migrant workers are caught between the Philippine government’s Labor Export Program and racist legislation like SB1070 and House Bill 87 in the US,” explained Cris Hilo, Secretary General of FiRE.

FiRE sisters march for legalization for all.

The march ending with various unions like SEIU 1199 and TWU 100, and made clear the need for workers and immigrants in the United States to collaborate and unite in these dark times. “Job security is a real issue that the media refuses to cover. Union busting, like in Wisconsin, or even locally like the Woodlawn Cemetery Workers strike, leaves all workers, both citizens and immigrants, open to attack,” said Hanalei Ramos, Vice-Chair of FiRE.

“As the on-going economic crisis continues to bring hardship to working families, especially immigrant communities and women, it is vital to organize and fight for their rights as scapegoating and deportations threaten their livelihood,” said Candice Sering, FiRE member.

ALL OUT THIS SUNDAY, MAY 1st at Union Square! Look for the FiRE flag!

It’s that time my sisters! For us as Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment to march in the streets of New York city to demand
LEGALIZATION for ALL!
Let us march in solidarity with ALL the WORKERS! Invite your family, friends, co-workers, lovers, neighbors, dogs and cats to march with us THIS Sunday, May 1st! Where? UNION SQUARE! What time? 12pm!!!

We are calling ALL FIRE members to come out at this very important RALLY and March!

We Demand:

Respect for all our human rights against wage theft and for salary justice!
Stop Firing workers and the attacks on unions!
Free health services for ALL!
Stop Trafficking our People!
Justice for Overseas Filipino Workers!
Stop the Harassment of street vendors!
Respect for our Day Laborers!
Respect for the Rights of LGBTQGNC People!

COME AND JOIN US
For the
IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND UNION WORKERS TO UNITE IN MASSIVE NYC MAY DAY DEMONSTRATIONS
On May 1st 2011 in Union Square
WEAR RED!
14th St. & Broadway, Manhattan (Southeast; in front of shoe mania)
*look for the BAYAN and Rainbow FiRE flag*

March to Foley Square for Unity Closing Rally to DEMAND JOBS, LEGALIZATION, NO CUTS