Spratly Islands Issue: Protest Rally in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco

Shortened URL: http://bit.ly/pl8jg2
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STOP CHINA'S BULLYING of the PHILIPPINES

WHAT: "No to China Oil Rigs in Philippine Seas" Protest Rally

WHEN: July 8, 2011 FRIDAY, Noon to 1 PM

WHERE: Consulate of the People's Republic of China Geary Blvd. and Laguna, San Francisco

(Assemble 10:30 a.m. in front of St. Mary's Cathedral on Geary Blvd.
March to the front of China Consulate protest area)

Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions as to why we are demonstrating: (shared by Rodel Rodis, US Pinoys for Good Governance)

1. We are protesting China's unilateral decision to drill for oil in Philippine territorial waters recognized as such by the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, under which a country has dominion over the resources located within 200 miles of its coasts.

- China is acting like a bully on this matter. Its intrusion into Philippine waters and planned extraction of oil and gas deposits in the area, without the consent of the Philippines, is a violation of Philippine Sovereignty.

2. We are exposing China's un-neighbourly conduct which could lead to hostilities in the region and pose a threat to world peace.

- China is acting in complete disregard of the ASEAN accord under which it committed to resolve the Spratly Islands dispute with claimants like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia peacefully through negotiations.

3. We are protesting China's "oil grab" which it plans to do through sheer military might over its weaker neighbours who like the Philippines are legitimate claimants to the Spratly Islands.

- We want to draw the world's attention to China's aggressive posture, which poses a serious threat to world peace.

4. China's alleged historic claim to the Spratly Islands is the weakest among all claims, that is why it is reluctant to have the matter adjudicated by the International Court of Justice. Its case is like Italy claiming ownership of much of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

- We want to create awareness of the illegitimacy of China's claim and we want the issue to be resolved peacefully through negotiations among the countries concerned, and not through the use of force.

Mila A. Magno
Spratlys rally convenor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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http://NaFFAAR8.com documents empowerment activities.

There were many participants who joined a protest rally for the first time. Seasoned community organizers gave a briefing before the rally especially about the code of conduct.

These are snapshots of the event, from start to finish.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• US Pinoys for Good Governance
• Rodel Rodis
• Loida Nicolas Lewis
• Charito Benipayo
• San Francisco
• Chinese Consulate
• China
• Spratly Islands
• oil
• Filipino
• Filipina
• Filipina woman
• Philippines
• sovereignty
• Pinoy
• Pinay
• Filipino community
• Filipino American
• gma pinoy tv
• gma life tv
• kapuso