NEW YORK – An alliance of Filipino organizations based in the US marched during the 112th celebration of the Philippine Independence Day to raise awareness on the current situation of Pinoys both in the US and the Philippines.

"This is our time to continue our struggle as Filipinos since the time of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan to fight for genuine freedom and independence in our country,” said Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of the National Alliance For Filipino Concerns (NAFCON).
 
Over 150 Filipino-American NAFCON members marched the streets of New York City last June 6 to mark the declaration of the Philippine Independence and demand genuine change for Pinoys.

“We, as Filipinos, continue to be oppressed whether in the homeland or abroad, but our resistance is strong wherever we may be,” Fos said.

Aside from political corruption, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines, NAFCON is also concerned with the degrading immigration laws that would criminalize immigrants in Arizona and a possible immigration reform bill that would demand national identification and/or a biometric system.

“As Filipinos abroad, we must also stay vigilant against such laws like Arizona's SB1070 that will legalize racial profiling and continue to police our communities. We must take a stand before it gets worse," he said.

Allied organizations that joined in the independence day march were the Philippine Forum New York, Philippine Forum New Jersey, KABALIKAT: Domestic Workers' Support Network, Kappa Pi (Kapatirang Pilipino) Fraternity, Young Educators for Health and Empowerment of the Youth (YEHEY), American Pinoy Organization of the Youth (APOY of the Hudson Community County College), the Sentosa 27++ nurses, Anakbayan NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) and New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP).

 The organizations’ joint solidarity was symbolically represented with a "Bahay Kubo" on the backs of members of different organizations to show the Bayanihan spirit. Behind the bahay kubo is the sun symbolizing the Filipinos' vision for change within the Philippine government with the ushering in of the new leadership.