Justice for Nicole and all Filipinos

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno today staged a picket protest in support to Filipina rape victim, Nicole. KMU led a Palengke Tour at the Nepa Q-Mart in Quezon City. “We are encouraging more people, especially women, to support Nicole as she awaits the court’s final decision on her case. We are demanding justice for Nicole and Filipinos. In the course of the U.S. government’s decades of intervention in all aspects of our daily life, we have all become victims of inhumane treatment and injustice,” said labor leader Nenita Gonzaga from the KMU Womens Department.

The protesters burned a U.S. flag in protest of the continuing presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines and the Arroyo government’s obvious partiality to the accused U.S. soldiers.

The labor leader raised concerns that if the Makati court will decide in favor of the four U.S. Marines soldiers who are main suspects in the rape case, it will be a precedent to all future cases involving U.S. soldiers and other foreign troops.

“However the government tries to cover-up the numerous crimes of the U.S. government against Filipinos, acts of violence and injustice continue to take place wherever U.S. troops are present,” Gonzaga added

The activity is in preparation for the broad actions led by various women’s groups on December 4 in support for Nicole. Makati City Judge Benjamin Pozon is scheduled to issue the court’s decision on that day. Womens groups like Gabriela, KMU Women and supporters of Nicole will protest around the Makati Central Business District and will proceed to the U.S. Embassy in Roxas, Boulevard in Manila.