Saturday, May 21 12pm to 05pm
Christ Church
524 Park Ave., New York, NY 10065
On April 1, 2016, peasant and indigenous farmers were gunned down by the police on a national highway in the southern Philippines. They were among an estimated 6,000 farmers effected by a 7-month drought who had come to the provincial capital to demand the distribution of food relief. This most recent tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of three farmers and the arrests of many more, reflects the growing culture of impunity in the Philippines.
This coming May, we will have the opportunity to hear the voices of some of these indigenous community leaders during an historical tour to the United States. Starting in Washington DC, the tour will bring representatives of various tribes, including women and youth, from the east coast to the west coast to the mid-west and back again. Lakbay Lumad USA: The Continuing Journey of Mindanao’s Indigenous Peoples for Peace with Justice will be in New York and New Jersey from May 17-24.
Lakbay Lumad USA builds on the gains of Manilakbayan—a 1,500 kilometer journey of seven hundred indigenous people from Mindanao to Manila to bring their cries for justice to the seat of political power. From October to November 2015, they spent one month under the banner of Manilakbayan: Journey of Mindanao from the Margins to the Center, raising public awareness, meeting with government officials, and demonstrating at the headquarters of the corporations plundering their lands. They garnered tremendous support from the academe, religious community, celebrities, and others.
For more information and updates visit: www.facebook.com/lakbaylumadusa