BAYAN USA

The organization has called the United States an “imperialist state” while demanding the removal of all U.S military personnel from the Philippines. ³ It has called the Israeli response to the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023 and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza “genocide” ^{4 5} while claiming it advocates for defeating what it considers to be “imperialism and its tentacles of Zionism.” ⁶

As of September 2024, BAYAN USA has claimed it operates roughly 30 different membership organizations across the United States. ^{7 8}

History and Leadership

BAYAN-USA was originally founded as the BAYAN Organizing Committee in 1994. After changing its name to BAYAN-International-USA, it was officially recognized as BAYAN USA by the BAYAN-Philippines National Congress in 2004. BAYAN USA is the United States-based chapter of the BAYAN-Philippines organization, which was first founded in 1985 in the Philippines to oppose the government of then-Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. ⁹

During the 1990s and 2000s, BAYAN-USA promoted mobilization campaigns against Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conferences, organized protests against the International Monetary Fund and World Bank gathering in Seattle, Washington and Washington, D.C respectfully, as well as protests against the U.S military. ⁹

In January 2005, BAYAN-USA held its founding assembly meeting in San Francisco, California. ⁹

Bernadette Ellorin is the national spokesperson for BAYAN USA. ¹⁰ She is also affiliated with International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines Global (CHRPG). ¹¹

Activities and Funding

BAYAN USA is the United States-based chapter of the BAYAN-Philippines organization, which was first founded in 1985 in the Philippines to oppose the government of then-Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. ⁹

BAYAN USA is the first and largest overseas chapter of BAYAN-Philippines. The organization claims it seeks to rally members of the Filipino community within the United States to organize “anti-imperialist” marches in the U.S while advancing left-of-center causes. Its activist campaigns include efforts to resist what it considers “fascism,” campaigns to limit U.S military influence outside the country including the  Philippines, and promoting the interests of Filipino workers and migrants overseas. ^{12 13}

As of September 2024, BAYAN USA has claimed to have roughly 30 different membership organizations across the United States including California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington State, and Washington, D.C. ^{7 8}

Activism

The organization has labeled the United States an “imperialist state” while demanding the removal of American military personnel from the Philippines. ³ It opposes North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) U.S.-led military exercises. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks, the organization has labeled the State of Israel’s response and the Israel-Hamas war as “genocide.” ^{4 5} The group has supported pro-Palestinian protests and marches following the October 7 attacks, while advocating action to end all U.S military support for the State of Israel as well as demanding the defeat of what it claims to be “imperialism and its tentacles of Zionism.” ^{14 6}

BAYAN USA has released statements alongside Marxist-leaning Filipino activist organization Anakbayan-USA ¹⁵ and Migrante USA, ⁷ and has encouraged members to support the International League of Peoples’ Struggle. ¹⁶