Friday, December 15, 2023 | 12pm to 1pm
Online Talk: RSVP
Note: Discussion limited to CUNY faculty, staff and students.
The Philippine national elections in May 2022, resulted in the rise to power of President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, echoing the nation’s immediate and recent pasts under the dictatorships of their fathers. Their first year in office is marked by blatant corruption, violent repression of dissenters, continued alignment with the U.S. military empire, and the commitment to brokering Filipino migrant labor to the global capitalist market. When the Philippines’ neocolonial present has been historically marred by corrupt and repressive political dynasties, resulting in an expansive diaspora of migrant workers and those seeking political refuge, what opportunities arise for democratic movement building in spite of it? Jackelyn Mariano will discuss her research and community activism among diasporic Filipino social movements, particularly the Malaya Movement’s broad anti-fascist coalition building during the Philippine elections, and the Justice for Jollibee Workers campaign that has challenged the fast-food corporation’s systemic abuse of workers’ rights.