INTO THE FRAY

Shattered.

A Sheltered and whining lot no longer.

Today, we, the students of the UP college of law, have broken out of the shell of apathy and indecision by showing the other colleges within the UP campus, and the entire country (thru the media) for that matter, the heart of a true "Iskolar ng Bayan."

Today, we have displayed the courage and the heart of a true Filipino.

Today, we have proven ourselves true fighters - that we are ready to fight for and defend what we believe is right.

The "Silent" Protest held yesterday, 6pm, in front of Malcolm Hall served as the springboard to today's triumphant march. The short vigil was our "prayer before battle," taping our mouths and holding our peace for a moment under the darkness to pay homage to precious democracy; democracy which was arrogantly and blatantly disrespected as though it were a cheap thing.

Some students commented that the whole thing felt awkward. That my friend is the whole point of the vigil. Proclamation No. 1017 rendered democracy awkward. It "taped" mouths thereby suppressing the freedom of speech. It caused bodies to stand still thereby curtailing the right to peaceably assemble. Proclamation No. 1017 did these under a cloud of darkness and uncertainty that instilled fear in the hearts of the citizenry and resulted in a number of abuses including invalid warrantless arrests.

Now, let us march with hearts courageous out of the confines of the Diliman campus and into the thick of the fray by pouring our all in front of the IBP building tomorrow alongside members of the legal profession. Let us not stop until we truly and fully realize the fruits of our sacrifice.

On tuesday we fight the good fight at the Supreme Court. Our battlecry then: NULLIFY. RENDER PROCLAMATION NO. 1017 UNCONSTITUTIONAL. DECIDE NOT ON MOOTNESS (if ever GMA lifts it before then). The decision of the Supreme Court here will guarantee that no like utterly capricious and baseless proclamation will be promulgated by the executive ever again.

(Tomorrow, Friday, March 03 - let us convene at Malcolm Hall 730 a.m. then proceed together to the IBP building)

BRAVEHEART

Executioner: It can all end right now. Please... just say it. Cry out - Mercy.

People: Mercy!!!

William Wallace: ...

Executioner: Cry out...

People: Mercy!!!

Executioner: Just say it... Mercy.

William Wallace: ...

People: Mercy!!! Mercy!!!

Executioner: The prisoner wishes to say a word...

William Wallace: ... FREEDOM!!!