Issue and Opponent: Ferdinand Marcos had been president of the Philippines since 1965. After being reelected in 1969, Marcos wanted to run for a third term but was barred from doing so. In response, he declared martial law and gave himself nearly absolute power. From 1973 on, he seized full control of the military, dissolved Congress, and arrested any political opponents/critics. One of his more prominent critics was Benigno Aquino, a senator at the time. Aquino was arrested and imprisoned in 1972 under Marcos’ orders. Aquino would spend 7 years in prison before developing a heart condition. Marcos wanted to condemn him to death and refuse treatment but the US stepped in and demanded he be given proper treatment. He was transported to the US and stayed for 3 years before returning to the Philippines to nonviolently overthrow Marcos and his government. On August 21, 1983, Aquino was immediately shot and killed by police officers outside the jet he flew in on. The news of Benigno Aquino’s death inspired demonstrations, as thousands were distraught over the death of a man who intended to bring independence back to the Philippines. Dilemma Action: Shortly after hearing of Aquino’s death, the public assembled to march in solidarity with Aquino’s family and also against Marcos and his dictatorial government. Aquino’s mother had decided to leave Benigno’s body where it lay, unaltered, so Filipinos from all over could come and pay their respects. Within days, thousands of supporters gathered at a park and protested. They made the symbol “L” with their hands as they demonstrated, which stood for Benigno’s party Laban. They chanted and held banners that read, “Justice for All Victims of Political Repression and Military Terrorism!” Yellow soon became the color of this movement, and the people loved to use it theatrically as building employees would drop tons of yellow confetti onto the streets weekly. As Marcos continued to gain public disapproval, the economy began to suffer, causing professional business leaders to join the movement against him. A key organizer (who was once imprisoned by Marcos), Senator Jose Diokno, started the activist organization Justice for Aquino/Justice for All (JAJA). This organization worked closely with Aquino’s wife, Corazon. Together, they regularly marched and demonstrated, gathering thousands of supporters together at a time. When Corazon ran for president against Marcos in February of 1986 and allegedly “lost the election,” 1.5 million supporters answered Corazon’s call to attend the “Triumph of the People Rally.” During this time, Filipinos boycotted businesses connected to and in support of Marcos. Cardinal Sin asked people to come and support the revolution via Radio Veritas. Hundreds of religious people came in masses and formed a human barrier around the soldiers to stop any violent conflict from arising. Outcome: On February 24, Corazon and her supporters convinced Parliament to declare her President and revoke the result of the corrupt election. On February 25, Benigno Aquino’s mother swore Corazon in as President. Marcos fled the country, and the people proved successful in their call for power and takedown of a repressive leader.