Climate activists, including Greta Thunberg, internationally renowned environmental activist, supports the call to #JunkTerrorLaw. The Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 in the Philippines which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last July 4, 2020 has been subjected to a lot of criticisms and concerns from different sectors, and youth climate activists around the world are now standing in solidarity with climate activists in the Philippines.
“Please support the climate activists in the Philippines! #JunkTerrorLaw @YACAPhilippines” said Greta Thunberg in a tweet while quoting a tweet from the international Fridays for Future youth climate movement saying “We stand in solidarity with climate activists in the Philippines. The Anti-Terror law puts climate activists and environmental defenders at risk of being tagged as terrorists. Join the digital action by posting a picture with #JunkTerrorLaw and tagging @yacaphilippines”
Several youth climate movements from different countries like India, Germany, Russia, London, Portugal, Taiwan, Lebanon, Pakistan, France, and more have posted about the so-called terror law expressing their concerns about the possible abuse and the risks that environmental defenders will experience, especially since the Philippines is already known as the most dangerous country for environmental defenders even without this law.
Fridays for Future Digital, the digital arm of the international youth climate movement has taken it a step further by creating an online toolkit that translates an explanation of the law into different languages and encourages people from different countries to call the Philippine embassy in their countries and to email their local leaders and leaders in the Philippines to junk the terror law.
“Climate justice will always be a call for social justice. We must hold the government accountable for their actions, especially actions that put people’s lives at risk. No matter what happens, you can count on the Filipino youth to keep fighting for a society where climate justice and social justice are the new normal.” said Mitzi Tan, convener of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP).