PHOTO ESSAY | Filipino American Activists Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Philippine Martial Law

by Ronnie Estoque

On the evening of Sept. 20, an estimated 100 Filipino American activists and community members from BAYAN USA Seattle, Malaya Movement, International Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines Seattle, Kabataan Alliance Washington, and the International League of People's Struggle Seattle-Tacoma gathered for the 50th anniversary of martial law being declared in the Philippines by Ferdinand Marcos.

Several local Filipino American activists traveled to New York City to protest President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s first visit to the U.S. under his term at the United Nations General Assembly. As reported by ABS-CBN, three Filipino American activists were arrested outside Asia Society's headquarters, where Marcos Jr. had been invited to deliver an address.

The commemoration included a flash choir mob at the Seafood City entrance inside Westfield Southcenter mall, with participants singing "Bayan Ko," "Babae," and "Tatsulok" with the accompaniment of a guitar. The performance was followed by clapping and cheering from onlookers, before the crowd made its way to the parking lot.

Candles were lit and used to create stage lines for various speakers, including a couple of martial law survivors from the Marcos era in the Philippines. The event wrapped up with chants and another performance from choir and community members.

Featured Image: Local Filipino American activists organized a flash mob choir, singing Filipino songs outside the Seafood City entrance inside Westfield Southcenter mall. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)