February 24, 2021 | 3 PM
Concerned Artists of the Philippines
STAND AGAINST MILITARY RULE
The performance artists of the world have been united by various performance festivals and art movements over the decades and in the annual worldwide Equinox solidarity for democracy and peace that began in 2017. In many years , Myanmar artists were part of these events and solidarity.
For decades, spaces for creative work in Myanmar were difficult to secure under the leadership of the military junta. This was the situation until the year 2010 when civilian power prevailed in elections and in government in Myanmar.
Unfortunately after more than a decade, last February 1, 2021, the military junta once again seized the government by coup d’ etat and arrested counsel leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. However, the people of Myanmar took to the streets to defy the military junta. Every day many people protest on the streets. Among those who promote democracy on the streets are artists under the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
Violence, arrests, and murders are the response of the military junta to the peaceful uprising and voices of the people. But many countries in the world condemn the dictatorship, including the communities of performance artists.
It is important to note that the performance solidarity for Burma we engage in is not separate from what we are steadfast advocacy related to what are happening in the Philippines.
Like in Myanmar, human rights violations are rampant in the Philippines under the Duterte regime. In the midst of the pandemia and crises, the government enacted the anti-constitutional Terror Law, a law that threatens democratic movements and treats government critics as terrorists. There is widespread redtagging of activists, media personalities, filmmakers and artists. Fake cases are brought up against and used as excuses to imprison artists like Amanda Echanis, a young mother, cultural worker, and human rights advocate, and cultural theatre workers namely Alvin Fortaliza, Cherly Catalogo, and couple JP and Grace Versoza.
Artists are peace-loving. Artists are sensitive and understanding of their environment. We artists are the voice of the voiceless. We inspire the people through arts and we collectively work for change, especially in the midst of crises and violations of press freedom and human rights.
Our solidarity with the people of Myanmar and the Philippines is solidarity for the call of true democracy and social justice. It is the unity of artists around the world who believe in upholding freedom of expression enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Bill of Rights.
On the occasion of the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Philippine People Power uprising that overthrew the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines, let us express our solidarity with the people and community of Myanmar artists.
#FreeMyanmar
#StandAgainstMilitaryRule
#FreetheArtists
#Artistsfightbak
#SolidarityPerformanceforBurma
Join us in a simultaneous performance/action on Feb 24, 3pm (Philippines)
Sipa Pinas https://web.facebook.com/sipaPErformAnCE
Concerned Artists of the Philippines
https://web.facebook.com/artistangbayan?_rdc=1&_rdr
Loadnaditoprojects
https://loadnaditoprojects.cargo.site/
Green Papaya Art Projects
https://greenpapaya.art
Participating countries: Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Germany and more
Post your documentation photos on your wall and share to this links:
Sipa Pinas https://web.facebook.com/sipaPErformAnCE
New Zero Art Group Myanmar
Association of Contemporary Art Myanmar
The Future of Myanmar
https://web.facebook.com/groups/1879621278856749/
Revolutionary Sky
https://web.facebook.com/Revolutional-Sky-TawHlanyay-moekaungkin-359366898458160/
