If you needed more proof that the youth will save the world (that is, if the political kids of TikTok haven’t convinced you already), then here: 16 youth groups are storming the Supreme Court today, July 23, to file a petition to nullify the Anti-Terrorism Law for being unconstitutional. The law was previously signed by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month on July 3 and took effect on July 18.
The groups include Kabataang Tagapagtanggol ng Karapatan, Youth for Human Rights and Democracy, Youth Act Now Against Tyranny, Millennials PH, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan, Good Gov PH, Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines, Liberal Youth of the Philippines, Aksyon Kabataan, La Salle Debate Society, De La Salle University Student Government, Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines-Diliman University Student Council, University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council, National Union of Students of the Philippines and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines.
“These organizations would like to protect their members and their fellow youth from the dangerous provisions of the Act and the chilling effect that these provisions will cause. Members of these organizations continue to experience red-tagging, harassment, and intimidation from security forces for actively engaging in protests and different forms of advocacy work and for speaking out on the current administration’s policies,” states a joint press release from the groups.
The press release also states that the petitioners will be represented “by a legal team led by young lawyer Atty. Dino de Leon, who recently filed a petition for mandamus at the Supreme Court, urging the Court to compel Malacanang to release President Rodrigo Duterte’s health records.”
Photo by Cathrine Gonzales courtesy of Inquirer.net
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