This October, Malaya Movement USA chapters across the country took part in Filipino-American History Month. We joined different organizations under the theme “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity, and Resilience” 

Each year for FAHM, Malaya Movement USA highlights the history and legacy of Filipino-led anti-fascist organizing against Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorial rule in the Philippines and crimes committed under Martial Law in 1972. Marcos Sr.’s reign directly caused thousands of Filipinos to leave the country to escape political repression and the economic crisis caused by a system of unmitigated corruption he himself manufactured.

On this International Workers’ Day also known as May Day, the Malaya Movement gives tribute to all Filipino workers who have struggled and continue to struggle against the fascist regime of Rodrigo Duterte.

As many of you already know, President Duterte signed the Anti-Terror Law this past July 3rd, ushering in a new dark era for democracy and civil liberties in the Philippines. Despite the widespread criticism and concern from legal experts and renown human rights organizations, Duterte has chosen, yet again, the way of brutality and authoritarian rule by enacting a law that threatens to institutionalize his Martial Law-style dictatorship and place a chilling effect on the practice of democratic rights and constitutional freedoms.

Movement strongly condemns the illegal arrests of members of progressive LGBTQIA+ organization, Bahaghari, and the violent dispersal of their peaceful Pride protest by officers of the highly militarized Philippine National Police. Even ahead of the enactment of the Anti-Terror Bill into law, fascism runs wild in the streets wearing fatigues and combat boots.