by Julian Jaravata, ’13

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and be a part of the fourth congress of BAYAN-USA, as well as the founding congresses of Anakbayan-USA (AB-USA) and the United States chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles (ILPS-US). BAYAN-USA, AB-USA, and ILPS-US all comprise of of progressive organizations throughout the United States fighting for genuine social change and the rights and welfare of peoples all over the world. BAYAN-USA and Anakbayan-USA specifically fight against the conditions that have historically oppressed the people of the Philippines and to bring about the national liberation of the country. Gabriela-USA, an alliance of progressive women’s groups also fighting for national liberation in the Philippines, met for its second congress too although I did not have a chance to attend because it occurred simultaneously with AB-USA’s. These congresses marked extremely important landmarks for the advancement…