---
title: Activism is not terrorism
date: 2020-06-07T07:01:00Z
modified: 2023-07-25T10:59:24Z
permalink: "https://350.org/activism-is-not-terrorism/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: Activism plays a crucial role in empowering people to demand accountability from their elected leaders.
wpid: 125667
categories:
  - Actions/Demonstrations
  - Asia
  - Featured
tags:
  - Junk Terror Bill
  - Philippines
featured_image: /wp-content/uploads/2020/06/junkterrorbill-jtuazon.png
author: Chuck Baclagon
---

While communities, especially the most vulnerable ones, grapple with the double threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, the [Philippine government is fast-tracking a bill](https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/30/House-panels-approve-new-anti-terrorism-bill-alarms-netizens.html) that undermines constitutionally protected rights to political expression and dissent by equating activism with terrorist activities.

I believe this is not the right time to pass a bill that could hinder citizens from speaking out. Activism plays a crucial role in empowering you and me to demand accountability from our elected leaders.

[**Will you write your local representative to demand that they withdraw their support to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020?**](https://act.350.org/sign/junk-terror-bill/)

[Yes, I will write to my representative](https://act.350.org/sign/junk-terror-bill/)

The draft law uses an overbroad definition of terrorism – a cause for alarm for the civil society community in the Philippines as those could intensify the climate of government oppression across the country.

> [\#JunkTerrorBill](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JunkTerrorBill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) This provides a 60 to 90 day-wire tapping period, and warrantless arrest, detention up to 30 days of suspected terrorists. It has no safeguards for the protection of human rights, redress of grievances. This can be weaponized to silence critics, suppress dissent.
> 
> — Sarah Elago (@sarahelago) [May 29, 2020](https://twitter.com/sarahelago/status/1266334395255762944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

We need to remind our district representatives in the 18th Congress to remain focused on prioritizing policies that aim to strengthen our communities through crucial healthcare measures like mass testing, contact tracing, and providing social protection to the most vulnerable.

[**Let your local representative know that their position on this bill will inform the choices that we will make when we cast our ballots in the next elections.**](https://act.350.org/sign/junk-terror-bill/)

> We will continue to air our grievances on the streets and unite to protest the Anti-Terrorism Bill or any kind of state repression. [\#JunkTerrorBill](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JunkTerrorBill?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#MassTestingNowPH](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MassTestingNowPH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#JUNKANTITERRORBILLNOW](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JUNKANTITERRORBILLNOW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> 
> If you can’t be with us today, you can add your support here: [https://t.co/Cw6ILwaf00](https://t.co/Cw6ILwaf00) [pic.twitter.com/rh0miwPZu0](https://t.co/rh0miwPZu0)
> 
> — jenny tuazon 😷 (@jennytuazn) [June 4, 2020](https://twitter.com/jennytuazn/status/1268442215115681792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Advocates, community organizers, and development workers should be able to work without fear of harm because our democracy relies on empowered citizens to assert our rights and demand accountability from the government.