Colorful, 80,000-strong rally demand GMA ouster, social change : QC IMC

The single biggest delegation came from the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) with a contingent of about 30 thousand. Its march from Makati Ave. and arrival at Ayala Ave. corner Paseo de Roxas signalled the start of the rally program.

The United Opposition, Bangon Pilipinas and groups supportive former Pres. Joseph Estrada and deceased presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. also came out in full force with delegations from across Metro Manila.

At the frontlines were Bayan chair Dr. Carol Araullo, Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador and Teddy Casiño, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, KMU chair Elmer Labog, KADAMAY chair Carmen Deunida, ACT chair Tonchi Tinio, retired Navy Capt. and SELDA leader Danilo Vizmanos and other veteran leaders of the Parliament of the Streets.

The protests were punctuated by shouts of "Gloria Arroyo, pekeng pangulo!" (fake president), to which others would reply with "Patalsikin, arestuhin, pagbayarin!" (Oust her! Arrest her! Make her pay!).

Thousands of members of Bayan from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog ended their caravans also at Ayala Ave., their numbers adding to the crowds.

Protest art was on high gear: Bayan Muna members brought a dragon and ati-atihan signifying "the people driving out evils of immoral, corrupt and oppressive governance".

Anakpawis lampooned the movie Madagascar with hundreds of pins depicting Arroyo in a cartoon. In bold letters was the word Mandarayaka (You're a cheat).

If there were White and Gray albums that poked fun at Joseph Estrada until he was ousted in People Power 2, Bayan came out and launched what it called a Black Album.

The Black Album contained anti-Arroyo adaptations of popular songs today, peppered with audio clips from the Gloriagate CD.

Militants from Gabriela came out with a paper mache of Arroyo as a fly, with giant fly-swatters bearing the slogan: "Patalsikin ang peste!" (Get rid of the pest!).

In his speech, Bayan Muna secretary-general Nathanael Santiago asked the crowd: Will there be change if GMA stays as president? Will it matter if Noli replaces GMA?

The crowd replied: "No! No! No!"

Asked by Santiago if there would be change under a government with workers, farmers, SMEs and professionals adequately represented, the crowd responded with affirmative shouts.

Santiago said that "only a National Council for Reforms and Unity may be able to ensure meaningful change when Arroyo leaves office."

To warm applause, Veteran actress Lorna Tolentino also spoke briefly before crowd, saying "let's carry on the fight for change."

Meanwhile Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. poked fun at Malacañang's downplaying of the rally turnout.

"Marunong ba silang magbilang?" (Don't they know how to count?), he asked.

Reyes deplored the violent dispersal of protests in front of Arroyo's office in Cebu. ###