http://baltimorechronicle.com/070604LaurenGoodsmith.shtml"No one showed up." Disbelief strains the soft voice of Dr. Orlando Tizon, TASSC's Assistant Director. A survivor of detention and torture under the Marcos regime, Dr. Tizon helps foster the "Communities of Healing" that are central to TASSC's work and which now flourish throughout the U.S. and overseas. "There were survivors who were prepared, everything...but no response."
Later, over the course of the day, a few foreign TV crews stopped by, as well as a member of Spanish press. The US media stayed away-unless one counts the appearance of a lone journalist from the Voice of America.
The June 26th vigil was the culmination of a week-long series of gatherings and advocacy activities involving TASSC members from all around the world. A key event was the appearance, mid-week, of several TASSC members before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.
Not a single member of Congress, however, attended the hearing-with the exception of Dennis Kucinich, who made a brief statement, but then left without staying to hear any of the testimonials.