Former President Aquino lids march despite rally ban

Former President Corazon Aquino led a march Friday at Manila 's financial district, calling for the resignation of the country's leader Gloria Macapagal Arroyo despite a ban declared on rallies. Earlier, riot police violently dispersed thousands of anti-government protesters demanding Arroyo's ouster soon after she declared a state of emergency Friday amid what the government said was a failed coup plot.

Photo: Former President Aquino lids march despite rally ban

At least 25 protesters were taken into custody, including a prominent political commentator and leaders of more than 5,000 leftist protesters marching along Manila 's EDSA highway toward a monument to the "people power" revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

"Let us not allow anyone to grab our democracy from us again," Aquino told the rally. "Let us all help to end the dictatorship, let us all help to bring back democracy." Aquino also reiterated her call for Arroyo to resign, to loud cheers from the crowd, estimated by police at 5,000, reports the AP.

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