Demonstration at Baltimore Port demands protection for Filipino seafarers

On Sept. 14, members of Baltimore and Maryland-based Filipino organizations and allies of the Tanggol Migrante Movement (TMM) organized a press conference and rally in protest of the deportations of four Filipino Carnival Pride Cruise seafarers who were accused of possession of child pornography but not given due process. The seafarers ardently deny this claim. 

ICE and DHS have employed similar harassment and targeting tactics to deport over a hundred documented and lawfully working Filipino seafarers out of Norfolk and other ports over the past year.

The press conference was held at the gates of Baltimore’s cruise terminal, where cars were lined up to board the next Carnival Pride Cruise ship. A large banner facing the road read: “Defend Filipino Seafarers.” Other signs read “Marcos: Don’t trade our livelihoods for U.S. military deals” and “Money for migrant workers, not flood control fraud.” 

The Tanggol Migrante Movement calls on the Philippine government to prioritize and protect the rights and welfare of Filipino migrants, and use its diplomatic power to negotiate with the U.S. on their behalf. 

“We just want the Philippines government to be on the seafarers’ side,” said Felix, a Filipino seafarer. “They can replace us very quick without any due process or investigation.”

If the Philippine embassy fails to file a strong diplomatic protest, the TMM commits to taking to the streets to defend these seafarers and all migrants who face neglect and persecution.