Never Forget.
The People Power Revolution is a testament to every person’s right to be heard and participate in shaping their future – both fundamental pillars of a democratic society. It was a proud moment when ordinary people came together to resist oppression, topple an unjust system, and create lasting change.
The current government—led by the son of the dictator the EDSA revolution ousted from Malacañang—is changing the narrative, whether through its decision to exclude the People Power Anniversary from the list of holidays in 2024 or by declaring it a special working day this year. It is a seemingly simple move, yet deeply symbolic.
The Alternative Law Groups (ALG) will never forget. When the dictatorship ended, ALG was born out of the need to empower communities through litigation, education, lobbying, and policy reforms. To this day, the coalition continues to use these legal empowerment strategies to bridge access to justice, especially for the marginalized sectors of society.
Legal empowerment is about giving people the power to understand how the law can work in their favor and how they can use it to resist violations of their rights. Ultimately, using the law as a tool for resistance and accountability.
After all, empowered communities that understand their rights and are equipped with the tools to assert them are better prepared to mobilize in solidarity and demand justice—much like they did during the People Power Revolution in 1986.
So, as we now continue the struggle for the democratic space that an entire generation of our countrymen bravely fought for in those dark times, we carry forward the dream of justice and equal rights for all.