~artivista1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2008

Reference: Michael Luat, Vice Chair, League of Filipino Students- San Francisco State University (LFS-SFSU)/San Francisco, California
Email: LFS.SFSU@gmail.com

Filipino-American Youth Demand More Money For Education
Not Occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines on 5th Anniversary of War

San Francisco, CA – On March 19th, 2008 after a long day of work, business people downtown who will be heading home to relax and unwind, will be met by Filipino American Youth/Students and their allies expressing their resentment of the U.S.-funded Arroyo regime in the Philippines, and demanding the withdrawal of military occupation and aid in the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.

With the ever-rising cost of tuition, we, as Youth/Students who are trying to obtain an affordable education, resent that our hard earned tax dollars are being used to fund and arm a military that commits genocide on the innocent civilian populations of the Philippines, Iraq, and Afghanistan. These billions of dollars could be spent on education or provide scholarships and services. The recently proposed California budget cuts in education will reduce the number of classes, cut our professors, and inevitably delay graduation times. The cost of education goes up while the quality does not.

Those Filipinos that cannot afford the high cost of a college education are duped into joining the military with the belief that the GI Bill will take care of their tuition expenses. The truth is they are the very ones fighting on the frontlines. Many have come back wounded or dead. Why are we forced to bleed for the basic human right of education?

In parallel, Youth/Students in the Philippines rise up against similar issues. But they face political repression for criticizing the regime of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who receives monetary aid from the U.S. that is applied directly to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Money that should be sent to help build infrastructure in the country is being used to silence the people’s voice that call for her ouster.

The League of Filipino Students marches on the streets on the 5th Anniversary of the Iraqi war. We march in solidarity with the people of Iraq, and we call for the OUSTER of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her corrupt regime.
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MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION NOT OCCUPATION!!!
END THE U.S. PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!
END THE OCCUPATION IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN!!!
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!!!