Fil-Ams to hold rally against China’s aggression in West Philippine Sea

Akbayan North America displays their “China Out of West Philippine Sea!” banner at a forum in San Francisco on June 11, 2024. The group will join a rally denouncing China’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea and the Indo Pacific region on July 12 in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. Image: Akbayan North America / Facebook

WASHINGTON – Filipino American leaders and their Asian and Black American allies will protest China’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Indo Pacific region on July 12 at noon (EST) in front of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

The Embassy is located at 3505 International Place NW, a few blocks from the Van Ness UDC Metro Station. The protest will be live streamed here.

The rallyists will mark the 8th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 Philippine legal victory in the arbitration court of the UN Convention on the Laws of Sea (UNCLOS) over China’s unlawful occupation of the WPS exclusive economic zone or EEZ.

“Over the years, the Philippines has continued to demonstrate this commitment to peace even in the face of the unlawful actions which have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea, without ever diminishing our resolve to protect and promote our people’s interest and the full and responsible enjoyment of our legally settled maritime entitlements and its accompanying rights and jurisdictions,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“The Award is a reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and protects our rights as a coastal state and a seafaring people. Every effort to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain is a testament to the determination and courage of the Filipino people, while showcasing the Philippines’ vision of peace and stability that inspires and resonates beyond the waters of the South China Sea,” it added.

Speakers will include Piero Tozzi, staff director of the US Congressional Executive Commission on China, who will speak on behalf of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).

Smith is also chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, Human Rights and International Organizations.

Participants include the US Filipinos for Good Governance (USFGG), AKBAYAN North America, VIET TAN, Uyghers Human Rights Project (uhrp), Uganda environmentalists #StopEACOP.org, and the Movement for a Free Philippines.

Parking is available at the UDC parking lot at the Van Ness Avenue entrance.