Concurrent with the mass protest in the Philippines on September 21, national democratic organizations and their allies overseas launched coordinated actions and activities to mark the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law’s declaration, denounce widespread corruption in the Philippines, and call for accountability from Sara Duterte and the US-Marcos regime.

In the Asia-Pacific, Migrante Hong Kong members defied heavy rain in their “Zum-baha* against corruption.” After this, members of Migrante Hong Kong, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Hong Kong, and Unifil-Hong Kong held a picket in front of the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong.

More than 50 joined the protest at Sydney Town Hall in Sydney, Australia. Groups such as Malaya, Bayan, Migrante, Anakbayan, and their allies joined the action. In the afternoon, groups held a picket in front of the Philippine consulate in Melbourne, Australia. Migrante Perth also launched a protest at Yagan Square in Perth, Australia.

Anakbayan, Migrante, and Bayan New Zealand scheduled a protest on September 23 at Freyberg Square in Auckland, New Zealand.

Migrante and Bayan organized forums in Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.

In Canada, to honor the martial law victims, Bayan, Migrante, Anakbayan, and ICHRP led a mass and memorial march in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Montreal, Quebec. Bayan, Migrante, and Anakbayan also held protests at Joyce Station in Vancouver and at Bathurst and Wilson Parkette in Toronto. Meanwhile, Migrante Alberta and Anakbayan Edmonton held a forum in Edmonton, Alberta, and a community film screening of Sister Stella L in Ottawa, Ontario.

In Europe, Migrante, Bayan, Anakbayan, Gabriela, and Duterte Panagutin Europe launched protests outside the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, and at Leicester Square in London, United Kingdom. Umangat Migrante Rome, Gabriela Rome, Sandiwa, and Alza Vita Roma also held a protest at Parco Conca de Oro in Rome, Italy.

In the US, Bayan, ICHRP, Malaya Movement, Gabriela, Anakbayan, Migrante, and Tanggol Migrante Movement launched actions outside the Philippine consulates in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco; Holy Family Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon; Forest Park in Queens, New York; Jose Rizal Park in Seattle, Washington; and Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

Migrante UK’s Allan Mendoza said as migrants living abroad, they contribute to the national funds by sending US$35 billion in remittances every year. But at times of crisis, government officials steal the money that should go to the people.

“While OFWs work under abusive conditions, face hunger and separation from family, politicians and their ‘nepo babies’ live lavishly using our taxes,” Mendoza explained.

“Today’s protest proves Filipinos everywhere are hungry for genuine societal change-change that will only come when the people unite to topple a system buit and maintained to oppress the poor and the marginalized,” Migrante UK declared.

* “Zum-baha” is a portmanteau of zumba and the Filipino word for flood.