'Joma' Sison speaks to NYC meeting

Taking advantage of low-cost Internet communications, Philippine immigrant organizations in the New York area—Bayan USA and Anakbayan NY/NJ—along with the International Action Center (IAC) and the International League for Peoples Struggle (ILPS) held an intercontinental discussion July 29 with a leader of the Philippine revolutionary struggle, Jose Maria Sison.

Sison, currently exiled in the Netherlands, is chairperson of the ILPS as well as an historic leader of the Philippines anti-imperialist struggle. He had recently been removed from the so-called terrorist list by a ruling in a European court. Sison is still barred from entering the United States in person, so those in the U.S. interested in hearing his analysis did so though a Skype conference call.

Members and friends of the sponsoring organizations filled the IAC’s Solidarity Hall in Manhattan, directing questions to the Philippines revolutionary leader. In the course of a two-hour discussion, Sison noted the weakened position of U.S. imperialism stemming from its quagmire following the Bush administration’s invasion of Iraq. He also was optimistic about the successes of the revolutionary movement in the Philippines against the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

—Report & photo by John Catalinotto