The legal counsel of acquitted youth activists “Mayo Uno 6” demanded accountability from state forces who violently arrested them during a 2024 Labor Day rally.
The six activists were acquitted Thursday of all charges by the Metropolitan Trial Court of Manila (MeTC) more than a year after being arrested for participating in a labor rally on May 1, 2024, outside the U.S. Embassy.
“The manner of arrest was excessive and unlawful. Those responsible must answer for their abuse of power,” said Mark Vincent Lim, legal counsel of Mayo Uno 6.
Police who executed the arrest have yet to face charges, he added.
UP Pi Sigma Fraternity — where three of the six arrested are members — also condemned state forces for harassing the youth.
“Mariin ding kinukundena ng Kapatiran ang lahat ng porma ng intimidasyon at karahasan sa mga kabataang nag-aasam ng pagbabago sa lipunan,” it said in a statement released Friday.
Mayo Uno 6 — comprised of four University of the Philippines students and two youth activists from progressive group Anakbayan — were charged with malicious mischief, direct assault and illegal assembly under Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Assembly Act.
MeTC dismissed the malicious mischief charge in June 2024 over lack of probable cause and the illegal assembly charge this March for lack of prosecution evidence. The dismissal of the direct assault charge over reasonable doubt Thursday cleared the six of all charges.
“Their victory reaffirms a basic truth: joining a protest to demand fair wages and job security is not a crime, but a constitutional right,” said Lim.
“Protest is not a disturbance of public order; it is the people’s voice demanding justice,” he added.
