Thursday, April 06, 2006

Black Friday Bulletin # 6 - Pa-THAKSINin Na. Now Na!

Pa-THAKSINin Na. Now Na! FRIDAY PROTEST

Designated time and place of flash protest for April 7:

In front of the Thai Embassy (along Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati) - 5:30 to 6:15 PM

We commend the Thai people for the peaceful resolution of their political crisis. We congratulate the People's Alliance for Democracy for leading a sustained protest action modeled after our very own people power which pressured Thaksin to call for a snap election. And we commend Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for heeding the true sentiment of the people as reflected in the results of the snap election, putting the interest of the nation above his own personal interest, and offering to resign his post for the sake of unity and the future of the nation.

We will offer flowers at the Thai embassy to express our support for them. At the same time, we call upon our leaders and our people to come together and follow the example of Thailand. Pa-THAKSINin Na. Now Na!


Plan of action:
1) Wear BLACK, preferably the "Patalsikin Na! NOW NA!" T-shirts. (Visit http://www.blackfridayprotest.blogspot.com/ to see where you can order them)

2) Bring yellow flowers. Yellow is the color of Thai royalty and Thai protest.

3) Assemble at any location, probably a cafe, or a parking lot, near Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati, between 5:00 to 5:15 PM.

4) March towards Rada St. in front of the Thai Embassy and target to be there by 5:30 PM.

5) Wait until all of the different groups have converged in front of the Thai embassy.

6) When the cue is given, everyone should lay down the flowers at the sidewalk right in front of the Thai embassy.

7) On cue, everybody should line up along the sidewalk, facing the street and then do the "Patalsikin" sign. Of course, someone should be taking the picture.

8) Disperse quietly.

Suggested preparations:
1) Invite as many friends, or officemates, as you can.
2) Make sure that you bring yellow flowers.
3) Agree on the exact location near Rada St. where you will meet to assemble. If you're coming from the same office, arrange for carpooling.
4) If you own the business, or if you're a manager of a business unit, invite your employees or your subordinates to join you.
5) If you're outside of the Philippines, and there are enough of you to organize a protest action, you can do the same action in front of the Thai embassy. Secure a permit, if your host country requires it. Inform your local media about the event. Don't forget to take pictures and email to info@blacknwhite-movement.com or helga1957@gmail.com.
6) If you're outside of Metro Manila, and there are enough of you to organize a protest action, select a public place like a park where you can do the same action. Send us pictures, as well.

Important reminders:
1) This is a SILENT PROTEST, not a rally. Please do not shout, sing, pass leaflets, or do anything to disturb the people and businesses along Rada St.
2) Bring your cameras. The highlight of the protest action is the laying down of flowers in front of the Thai embassy and the group's "patalsikin" pose. Let's document them with pictures.

Forward this message to as many friends, relatives, colleagues, and egroups. I've also included below a brief description of the Black Friday Protest Movement, so those receiving your forwarded mail and hearing this for the first time will understand what we're trying to accomplish.

Let's paint the Thai Embassy BLACK on Friday.

God bless,

enteng
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BLACK FRIDAY - A NEW FORM OF PROTEST

The Black Friday Protest Movement was launched by eLagda on March 1 to give professionals, students, businessmen, and other sectors a venue to express their protest against the continuing and escalating acts of repression of the GMA administration as manifested in its series of proclamations – CPR, EO 464, and PP 1017 – all designed to curtail basic rights and oppress the people. Even after PP1017 has been lifted, the repressive measures continue.

Patterned after the flash mob concept, the Black Friday Protest calls on people to gather at a designated time and place every Friday wearing black attire as a symbol of protest. There will be no programs or speeches. Instead, people will be given specific instructions on what to do, and the whole exercise should last about 30 minutes at most. It’s safe, non-confrontational, and within the bounds of the law, even under a repressive one like PP 1017. The mere “flash” gathering of the people is the expression of protest.

Where will people get instructions?

Details of the Black Friday Protest action for the week will be published at its blogsite – www.BlackFridayProtest.blogspot.com every Wednesday evening. Those who would like to receive instructions directly can also subscribe to the movement’s bulletin service by sending a blank email to BlackFridayProtest-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

4 comments:

the jester-in-exile said...

word of advice, guys: don't give cops any excuse to exercise their stupidity based on the statement "we are only ensuring the security of the Thai embassy and the safety of its personnel."

oh, and why not give a copy of the letter praising the thais to whoever is allowed to receive it -- not during the protest, but after. after all, the protest in in part a show of praise for democracy in thailand. the thai people rock!

the jester-in-exile said...

oh, and one more thing... i feel uncomfortable with the phrase "pa-THAKSINin" na." the thai PM showed more moral courage in what he did than all of GMA's spin control put together.

snappy, though.

Leah Navarro said...

Hi Jester! We asked Thai Embassy officials through unofficial channels if we could do that, but sadly, they may not warm to that idea - we will just lay yellow flowers at their door. As for the slogan, it means we hope the Usurper will be blessed with the same discernement and moral courage. Ahay, why am I sure it will fall on deaf ears?

the jester-in-exile said...

helga,

why not send the BnW statement via email to a thai broadsheet as a letter to the editor? they'll probably print it, too. praise the king, especially, for his wisdom.

i kinda feel a sense of kinship to the thais for their people power action.