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CREATED:20061126T195000Z
DESCRIPTION:Join babae's action in front of the Federal Building, Monday, November 27th 
 from 5-6:30pm as we condemn the brutal gang rape of a 22-year old Filipina 
 by four U.S marines.\n\nbabae stands in support of Nicole as she and her 
 family await the verdict against four United States Marines who gang raped 
 her last November 1, 2005 in what is known as the Subic Bay Rape Trial. On 
 this one year anniversary of the incident, babae demands that both the US 
 and Philippine governments seek justice and accountability with a guilty 
 verdict on DECEMBER 4, 2006.\n\nThe case itself—a painstaking four months 
 of hearings—has unfolded into a sloppy and untrustworthy situation. 
 Nicole has since complained about the inadequate cross-examination efforts 
 by the prosecution. She has demanded a new set of lawyers as a result of 
 the prosecution’s decision to not proceed with the necessary rebuttal of 
 case witnesses, a direction they chose to do without consulting Nicole. 
 Nicole's mom has admitted repeatedly that the lead prosecutor approached 
 her three times to settle the case, offering such settlement provisions as 
 money, open visas to the US for everyone in their family, and permanent 
 residence in the US for Nicole. The 4-month legal scuffle was elevated when 
 Nicole and her mom walked out the courtroom on September 14 to protest the 
 prosecution’s weak efforts, even expressing her fear that she would lose 
 the case due to their incompetence.\n\nbabae remains committed to educating 
 our community on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), ratified in 1999, 
 that has allowed American troops to hold joint military exercises with 
 Filipino troops in the Philippines on a temporary basis, which is a 
 violation of Philippine sovereignty.  It is within these “temporary 
 periods” that an increased number of cases of American soldiers 
 committing sexual assault against women and children in areas near the 
 stationed troops have been reported. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers have not 
 been punished for these human rights violations. babae has joined the ranks 
 of women and human rights groups, in the Philippines and internationally, 
 demanding an end to this horrid situation and justice for all victims of 
 violence. The VFA stipulates that Philippine courts have jurisdiction on 
 crimes committed on local soil and that proceedings should be concluded 
 within one year, otherwise the accused Americans are free to leave the 
 country unpunished. This should not be allowed to happen.\n\nbabae also 
 recognizes the link between violence impacting women as a result of 
 militarization and the violence we experience through domestic violence. 
 Both stem from systems that create an unequal power dynamic for women. When 
 we are not afforded a sense of autonomy over our bodies and laws are 
 created to weaken our sense of safety, we must then question the systems 
 that allow for these conditions to happen. Why is it that a partner thinks 
 they can control their partner through violence? Why can four military men 
 rape a woman without consequence? Now is the time to stand in solidarity. 
 Support Nicole and demand for justice in her name as well as the countless 
 other women globally who face violence on a daily basis. \n\n\nJustice for 
 Nicole!\nJunk the Visiting Forces Agreement!\nEnd violence against 
 women!\nStop U.S. military aid to the Philippines!\n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/26/18333450.php
SUMMARY:Action: Justice for Gang Raped Filipina by U.S. Marines!
LOCATION:San Francisco Federal Building \n450 Golden Gate Ave (cross Street is Polk) 
 \n
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/26/18333450.php
DTSTART:20061128T010000Z
DTEND:20061128T023000Z
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