Monday, July 18, 2011

Thank You! (from Rice and Rights Network, Netherlands)


The Rice and Rights Network for Human Rights in the Philippines would like to thank everybody that supported the Free the Artist! Free Ericson Acosta! Solidarity Dinner held last July 13, 2001 at Amsterdamsestraatweg 50. Around 30 people came to share a simple meal to raise funds and awareness about the case of Ericson Acosta, a Filipino journalist, poet and songwriter falsely accused of illegal possession of explosives. Acosta is detained at the Calbayog City Sub-Provincial Jail in Samar province in the Philippines.

Ericson sent a message thanking those who attended the dinner. "Una sa lahat, gusto kong magpasalamat sa iba’t ibang sektor at organisasyon sa pagsusustini ng kampanya para sa aking pagpapalaya gayundin para sa iba pang bilanggong pulitikal... Nagpapasalamat ako pagkat dalawang grupo ng mga kasama na nasa magkabilang dulo ng mundo ang nagsasagawa ng aktibidad sa araw na ito (Hulyo 13) bilang suporta sa kampanya... Sa The Netherlands, mayroon ding Free the Artist Solidarity Dinner na inihanda ang Rice and Rights Network for Human Rights in the Philippines. Maraming, maraming salamat sa mga kasama para sa mga inisyatibang ito.

(I would like to thank the different sectors and organizations that are campaigning for my release, as well as for the release of other political prisoners. I am thankful that two groups of activists from opposite ends of the world held activities today, July 13, in support of the campaign... In the Netherlands, there was a Free the Artist Solidarity Dinner held by the Rice and Rights Network for Human Rights in the Philippines. Thank you, dear friends, for your initiatives!) . Read the whole message here.


The solidarity dinner is part of the Rice and Rights campaign for the release of political prisoners in the Philippines. Some of Ericson's works were performed during the activity. Marikit Saturay sang "Dahil" ("Because") while Jun Saturay rendered his English interpretation of the song's lyrics. Professor Jose Maria Sison recited his poem "In the Dark Depths." Sison wrote the poem during his 8 years of imprisonment.

A modest amount for Ericson's legal defense fund was raised during the solidarity dinner.

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