The struggle of the peasant movement in the Philippines inspires the world. To join in the international solidarity effort to support the peasant movement, you can help cover travel and hosting expenses of Filipino farmers and international solidarity activists during this month’s peasant mobilizations!
Donate to ICHRP’s peasant fund at ichrp.net/PeasantFundraiser
During October, known as Peasant Month in the Philippines, peasant and indigenous communities hosted international delegates for the International Solidarity Mission (ISM). These communities welcomed the delegates into their lives and ongoing struggles against land-grabbing and militarization.
During the ISM, a great amount of warmth and solidarity was generated between the visitors and the locals. The delegates learned of local struggles against land-grabbing and militarization by host organizations, including the Kilusang Magbubukid Philippines (KMP). Hosts exposed the rights violations committed in connection to the Kaliwa mega dam in Rizal; a palm oil plantation in Negros; a real estate development in Mindoro; and low farmgate food prices in Samar. ISM delegates visiting from around the world integrated with community members and in some cases even visited the sites of exploitation and militarization.
All groups were subjected to intense surveillance by soldiers and military intelligence agents! Surveillance of international delegates escalated to the point of drone surveillance and even direct confrontation and questioning by members of the Philippine military.
All throughout Peasant Month, organizations like KMP are mobilizing to expose the issues of peasants and generate the broadest possible support for the peasant struggle. This campaign includes the coordination of the ISM itself, as well as a massive protest of peasant farmers this coming October 21st, which will bring together peasants from many regions to convene in Manila.
You can contribute to the efforts of the peasant movement by donating to ICHRP’s Peasant Fund. Funds raised will contribute to the costs of travel associated with the large mobilization of peasants on October 21st, as well as the travel and hosting costs associated with the ISM which was conducted earlier this month.
If you would like to help expand the work of ICHRP through grassroots support, we also invite you to become an ICHRP sustainer: ichrp.net/donate
