Katotohanan ng Ating Bayan (The Truth of Our Nation)

Join us in a gathering of artists and community members in expressing the truths about issues facing our Filipino communities.

A collection of artwork  that tackles state-sponsored human rights violations in the Philippines will be exhibited entitled, “FACT SHEET: Activism is NOT a Crime” (courtesy of Con Cabrera and Lian Ladia of Artists’ ARREST).

Late in the afternoon until the early evening, we will launch the Habi Arts’ zine and end with poetry, spoken word, live music and performances.

This day-long event is in commemoration of International Day of the Disappeared (August 30) and will also serve as a fundraiser for the Justice for Melissa Roxas and Free the 43 human rights campaigns.

Comic Strip: Free Carina “Judilyn” Oliveros and Her Son! Free All Political Prisoners!

Free the 43 Health Workers

Please spread the word about the 43 health workers illegally arrested and detained in the Philippines by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  Click on the image to enlarge.

Art Beyond Barriers: Live Art Petition to Stop Human Rights Violations in the Philippines

FREE the 43 health workers! Never Again to Martial Law!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Southern California Never Again to Martial Law Convention, 3:00 PM
Live Art Petition, 5:30 PM

Fernando’s Hideaway
519 S. Spring St (between 5th St and 6th St)
Los Angeles, CA 90013

barrier – a structure that prevents or hinders movement or action

We would like to invite you to share your images, movement, rhythm, and voices to break beyond the barriers and take action to stop human rights violations in the Philippines.

In an ongoing assault on human rights by the Philippine government, 43 health workers were illegally arrested and detained on February 6, 2010 in Morong, Rizal, Philippines. They are still illegally being held at the Philippine Military Camp Capinpin and have endured three weeks of continuous ill treatment and torture in the military camp. This situation is critical. Each day that the 43 health workers are not released, it is one more day they have to endure pain, fear, and torture.

Please join us in the movement to demand freedom through art by participating in this live art petition to demand the immediate release of the 43 health workers, stop human rights violations, and to say Never Again to Martial Law in the Philippines.

The first Art Beyond Barriers live petition will be held after the convening of the “Never Again to Martial Law in the Philippines” Coalition for Southern California.

This project will tour North America. More information will be forthcoming about other cities and countries where the Art Beyond Barriers petition will tour.

About Art Beyond Barriers live art petition:

A coming together of concerned artists, communities, and human rights supporters to create a movement for change through music, voice, dance, images, and words created during the Art Beyond Barriers collaboration.

You don’t need to be an artist to participate and all ages are welcome.

Participation in the live art petition means you support the movement to stop human rights violations in the Philippines, support the call to Free the 43 health workers, and to say Never Again to Martial Law in the Philippines.

Support of this movement is in support of a global movement to uphold and defend human rights.

What to bring with you:

A passion for making art in all forms whether it be through music, song, dance, spoken word, written word, images, and collaborating with other artists and non-artists to create a movement for change.

Art materials, instruments of all kinds (you can be creative and bring found objects; anything that can make a rhythm), movement, voice, poems, and anything you would like to share with others in this experience.

This project is in collaboration with Melissa Roxas, poet, human rights activist, and survivor of abduction and torture in the Philippines; and Habi Arts, an artist collective that promotes political and artistic empowerment to inspire and mobilize people for progressive social change.