Greetings kasamas, allies, and friends:

Early this morning the GABNet 3 were harassed, yet again, for an hour at the Immigration Counter in the airport in Manila. However, with the help of GABRIELA Women's Partylist Representative Liza Maza and a GABRIELA Attorney, they were able to make the case that they were not terrorists and had the right to travel back to the U.S! We also received word that our advocacy efforts with the nationally coordinated Consulate actions in the U.S. put pressure on the Department of Foreign Affairs to push the Philippine Government to lift the "watchlist" hold!

CURRENTLY, THE GABNET 3 ARE ON THEIR FLIGHTS BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES! (We are still on the alert until all of the GABNet 3 leave their respective airports safely)

CONGRATULATIONS on this victory! Every contribution made a difference from spreading the word, to talking to press, to faxing the US Embassy, to contacting congressional/senate reps, to protesting in front of the consulate. This campaign exemplified unity among the community, as well as a true representation of people power.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Rally/Vigil last night. There were over 100 people throughout that day to support the return of the GABNet 3 including the GABNet Irvine Chapter, Kabataan Makabayan (KmB), Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines(AJLPP), ANSWER LA, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), FilAmARTS, Balagtasan Collective, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), USC Students, and UCLA Students and concerned community members. Among the media were the Filipino American Press Club, The Filipino Channel, Asian Journal, and the USC Trojan Newspaper.

Though this is definitely a victory, the battle against political repression is far from won. We must continue to fight and demand justice for the nearly 900 killed, over 90 of which were women and connected to GABRIELA, as well as the countless victims of forced disappearances and human rights violations in the Philippines. Let us use this victory as momentum to continue our work in the fight for peace in the Philippines.

SULONG!
(Forward!)

We hope to see you all at the...
CELEBRATORY WELCOME FOR THE GAB 3
& COMMUNITY REPORT BACK FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Thursday, August 16th
6-9pm (new time)
@ Lake Street Park Rec Center
227 N. Lake Street
LA, 90026

CURRENTLY, THE GABNET 3 ARE ON THEIR FLIGHTS BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES!

In militant sisterhood...

Maureen Ivy Quicho
Coordinator, GABNet Los Angeles