BAYAN RESPONSE TO POLICE ABOUT THE BURNING OF EFFIGIES

#SONA2024

The police should neither dictate what form of protest is to be tolerated nor impose restrictions on the people’s right to freedom of expression.

Burning of effigies is protected speech. It reflects the people’s outrage over the gross incompetence and grave abuses of the Marcos Jr government.

May be a graphic of fire and text that says "BAYAN #SONA2024 THE ROB Response to police about the burning of effigies Burning of effigies is protected speech. It reflects the people's outrage over the gross incompetence and grave abuses ot the Marcos Jr government. We condemn the threat of arrest since it could disrupt the legitimate right to assemble and speak out against government abuse."

The police have no basis in criminalizing the burning of effigies. QC police filed a case related to the burning of an effigy during the SONA protest in 2023 but this was dismissed by the city prosecutor. (Read: https://www.bulatlat.com/…/govt-prosecutor-dismisses…/)

We condemn the threat of arrest since it could disrupt the people’s legitimate right to assemble and speak out against government abuse.

Authorities are desperate in discouraging people to join the SONA protest by spreading fear and intimidating the public, but we will defy their unjust and repressive impositions. And yes, we will burn an effigy of Marcos Jr who represents the biggest scourge in the country today.

Categories: Statements

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