'Street of activism' in Mendiola unveiled
The newly-inaugurated marker of the Kalye Mendiola commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Martial Law. Photo by EFIGENIO CHRISTOPHER D. TOLEDO IV
By Bernadette D, Nicolas and Efigenio Christopher D. Toledo IV
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led the unveiling of the historical marker “Kalye Mendiola” during the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law at Mendiola Plaza last September 21.
Lim said the Mendiola Street is the “seat of activism” because of the people’s frequency of voicing out their grievances in the place.
Human Rights Advocate lawyer Rene Saguisag, National Historical Commission of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said the marker will be a reminder of “Battle of Mendiola,” the student demonstration on January 30, 1970, which made Mendiola an effective venue for protest against Martial Law.
Lim led the program with a speech, noting the important lesson learned during the Martial Law era—to fight for what is right just like what Ninoy and Cory Aquino did.
“Every person has the right to voice his opinion and which right is safeguarded by the provisions of the Constitution, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to air their grievances,” Lim said.
Meanwhile, Bayan chair Carol Araullo, who was also arrested during the Martial Law era, demanded justice for the victims during the dictatorship years.
"We decry the failure of all post-Marcos regimes, from the first Aquino regime to the current regime of Benigno Aquino III, to render justice for the victims of Martial Law,” Araullo said.
Bayan was founded in 1985 during the peak of the Martial Law to oust the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
"We offer our September 21 march to the memory of all martyrs who fought for genuine freedom and democracy,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.
The street was named after Enrique Mendiola, lawyer, educator and architect, who was named the director of the Instituto Burgos, the secondary school of the Malolos Republic in 1899, and a classmate of Dr. Jose Rizal during high school.
NHCP board member Dr. Ferdinand Llanes, and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocate chairperson Max de Mesa were also present during the unveiling.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led the unveiling of the historical marker “Kalye Mendiola” during the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law at Mendiola Plaza last September 21.
Lim said the Mendiola Street is the “seat of activism” because of the people’s frequency of voicing out their grievances in the place.
Human Rights Advocate lawyer Rene Saguisag, National Historical Commission of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said the marker will be a reminder of “Battle of Mendiola,” the student demonstration on January 30, 1970, which made Mendiola an effective venue for protest against Martial Law.
Lim led the program with a speech, noting the important lesson learned during the Martial Law era—to fight for what is right just like what Ninoy and Cory Aquino did.
“Every person has the right to voice his opinion and which right is safeguarded by the provisions of the Constitution, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to air their grievances,” Lim said.
Meanwhile, Bayan chair Carol Araullo, who was also arrested during the Martial Law era, demanded justice for the victims during the dictatorship years.
"We decry the failure of all post-Marcos regimes, from the first Aquino regime to the current regime of Benigno Aquino III, to render justice for the victims of Martial Law,” Araullo said.
Bayan was founded in 1985 during the peak of the Martial Law to oust the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
"We offer our September 21 march to the memory of all martyrs who fought for genuine freedom and democracy,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.
The street was named after Enrique Mendiola, lawyer, educator and architect, who was named the director of the Instituto Burgos, the secondary school of the Malolos Republic in 1899, and a classmate of Dr. Jose Rizal during high school.
NHCP board member Dr. Ferdinand Llanes, and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocate chairperson Max de Mesa were also present during the unveiling.