Teresa Gutierrez, a member of the US-based International Action Center, was with around 300 locals who marched from Fuente Osme ƒÆ’ ±a towards the Malaca ƒÆ’ ±ang sa Sugbo Sunday morning. The group was stopped near the Department of Foreign Affairs office by anti-riot police.

Gutierrez said the government's plan to blacklist foreigners who participate in rallies was undemocratic.

"It's a shame that the Arroyo government plans to do that. It is a violation of the basic democratic right of every people." Gutierrez said. "If they are for freedom, then why can't we travel to the Philippines?

"Why would we not be allowed to come in if thousands of people are inviting us," she said.

Gutierrez said that if she was barred from the country, she would send others in her stead.

"If I can't come in, I'll send my friends. We'll just keep coming one way or the other... They can't stop our solidarity with their visa laws or immigration laws. If Brian Campbell can't come we'll find other attorneys," she said, referring to a labor rights lawyer from the US who was deported shortly after he arrived in Manila last Wednesday.

Campbell was scheduled to attend a two-day Conference on Jobs and Justice at the St. Theresa's College late last week.

Australian Len Cooper, a member of the International League of Peoples'
Struggles (ILPS), said they could not do anything if the Philippine government sets up a black list.

"However, this action violates the country's stance as a democratic nation," Cooper said.

"What's wrong with foreign delegates coming here to put views that may or may not be contrary to the Philippine government? If the Philippine government supports suppression rather than democracy then that's their choice, not ours," he said.

Gutierrez and Cooper attended the Conference on Jobs and Justice last week, and were scheduled to join other meetings set up by local militants and international civil groups.

The rallyists gathered at the Fuente Osme ƒÆ’ ±a early Sunday and marched down Osme ƒÆ’ ±a Boulevard even under heavy downpour, intending to go to the Malaca ƒÆ’ ±ang sa Sugbo.

However, riot police from the Cebu City Police Office, led by Superintendent Mariano Natuel, blocked the activists' way at the intersection of Osme ƒÆ’ ±a Boulevard and P. Burgos Street.

Police later allowed the activists to march a little further, but stopped them from going beyond M.J. Cuenco Avenue, 100 meters from the Malaca ƒÆ’ ±ang sa Sugbo.

The demonstrators, including foreigners, were chanting "People united will never be divided. Yes to international solidarity." Their Cebuano counterparts interpreted their speeches by local protesters into English.

Vince Cinches of the Panaghiusa sa Gagmay'ng Mangingisda sa Sugbo said they appreciated the support they got from their foreign counterparts.

"It also shows that we have a common issue where we can work on. It shows that the question on democracy, jobs, wage, and justice is a global concern," he said.

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