Rally/march For Remembrance, Justice And Freedom

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Rally and March for Remembrance, Justice and Freedom

Sunday 4th June 2006

This year the annual remembrance rally and march to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 1984 Indian army assault on the Golden Temple complex will be taking place in London on Sunday 4 June 2006.

Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations have been requested on radio broadcasts earlier this week to make appropriate transport arrangements to enable the Sangat to attend in large numbers. For the first time ever coaches are expected to travel from mainland Europe - France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy etc.

Five large remembrance events are in the process of being planned to take place simultaneously on Sunday 4 June in London, Toronto, Vancouver, (Bay Area) San Francisco and New York or Washington DC. The Sikh Federation (UK) has urged the Canadian Organisation of Sikh Students (COSS) to take the lead in organising the two events in Canada and is in contact with Panthic organisations in Canada and the USA.

Three other remembrance events are being discussed for Germany (for Sikhs unable to travel from mainland Europe to London), Australia and Malaysia. Sikhs in Panjab are also being encouraged to organise large-scale events that will complement what is being planned by the Sikh Diaspora for Sunday 4 June. Our aim is to unite to remind people across the world that SIKHS WILL NEVER FORGET 1984.

The event in London will commence in Hyde Park (11:30am-1:30pm), followed by a march through central London to Trafalgar Square (1:30-2:30pm). The event will conclude with a massive rally in Trafalgar Square (2:30-4:30pm), where a large number of non-Sikhs will also participate. The plans for Trafalgar Square follow the highly successful 'Sikhs in the Square' event in November 2005 organised by Young Sikhs (UK).

The organisers have pledged to encourage Young Sikhs to play a central role in making the rally and march for remembrance, justice and freedom a huge success. Sikhs across the UK are urged to make early preparations for the 4 June 2006.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

Notes

1. Preparations by Sikhs in the UK for 4 June 2006

Sikhs across the UK are urged to make early preparations for 4 June 2006. As the organisers wish to disseminate information and share ideas quickly across the UK we are urging Sikhs, in particular young Sikhs, to email their contact details, name, telephone, postal address and email to sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk by 28 February 2006. This should help to ensure a good turnout on the day, maximum coverage by the local media (newspapers and radio) from a local perspective, distribution of publicity material, co-ordinate the preparation of banners/placards etc., proper stewarding and organisation on the day, share ideas on encouraging more non-Sikhs to take part and help set 'programmes' in advance for the rally in Hyde Park (mainly in Panjabi) and the rally in Trafalgar Square (mainly in English).

2. Volunteers for project teams for 4 June London remembrance event

It is likely that there will be around a dozen project teams for different aspects of the 4 June event where the organisers are looking for volunteers. Project teams are likely to cover 1) funding and sponsorship, 2) logistics for the day, 3) media and public relations, 4) advertising and publicity, 5) stewarding and security, 6) liaison with the authorities (Metropolitan Police, Hyde Park, insurance company, Greater London Authority, Westminster Council etc.), 7) production and distribution of merchandise, 8) production and display of multi-media material, 9) liaison with speakers (including non-Sikh speakers), 10) attendance of non-Sikh groups and the general public, 11) co-ordination with organisers of similar events in other countries, 12) liaison and arrangements for Sikhs from mainland Europe. Volunteers should email their contact details, name, telephone, postal address and email to sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk by 28 February 2006 and indicate which project team(s) they wish to join.

3. Sikhs planning to travel to the London rally from mainland Europe

Sikhs planning to travel to the London rally from different countries in mainland Europe are urged to contact the Sikh Federation (UK) so arrangements can be made for them to travel to the UK on Saturday 3 June and for them to be accommodated at Gurdwaras and with the Sangat in the South of England.

4. Gurdwaras / Sangat volunteering to accommodate Sikhs from mainland Europe

Gurdwaras / Sangat in the South of England who wish to volunteer to accommodate Sikhs from mainland Europe who will be travelling to the UK on Saturday 3 June are also urged to contact the organisers so provisional arrangements can be made. A special appeal is made to Gurdwaras in the South of England (Barking, Dartford, East Ham, Erith, Gravesend, Hounslow, Ilford, Slough, Southall, Woolwich etc.) to volunteer for this sewa.

5. Sikhs planning remembrance events in other countries

We estimate there will be ten large remembrance events taking place simultaneously on Sunday 4 June 2006 across the globe. Those planning these events in countries other than the UK or those wishing to volunteer for the non-UK event are urged to closely liaise with the organisers for the London event and email their contact details, name, telephone, postal address and email to sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk by 28 February 2006.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Slough has already informed the Kabadi Federation in England that it should rearrange the tournament planned for 4 June in Slough as they will be arranging transport for the Sangat to attend the rally and march.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Dear Admin

It may be too early for a STICKY in terms of the remembrance events themselves. But in terms of organisation and preparation it may be a good idea to make this a STICKY.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Dear Admin

It may be too early for a STICKY in terms of the remembrance events themselves.  But in terms of organisation and preparation it may be a good idea to make this a STICKY.

151344[/snapback]

Dear Admin

A sticky would be good as many appear not to be reading this message due to the number of posts.

[GurSa Singh]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Is there a poster for the rally? The earlier this goes up the better, maybe by Vaisakhi. The Sikhs in the Square poster was a good poster and got everyone talking, shame that the rain turned out be be the sangats key decision maker in attending.

Need to get the awareness out in the non-Fed run Gurdwaras. Posters and Post Cards worked well in our local area.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Is there a poster for the rally? The earlier this goes up the better, maybe by Vaisakhi. The Sikhs in the Square poster was a good poster and got everyone talking, shame that the rain turned out be be the sangats key decision maker in attending.

Need to get the awareness out in the non-Fed run Gurdwaras. Posters and Post Cards worked well in our local area.

151660[/snapback]

Plan is to get posters, publicity out early and across the UK in as many Gurdwaras as possible, also Universities and other places likely to attract non-Sikhs. Sikhs who are members of trade unions may have ideas of how to involve non-Sikh activists.

Therefore, need volunteers as soon as possible for the different project teams mentioned in the first posting and listed below.

1) funding and sponsorship

2) logistics for the day

3) media and public relations

4) advertising and publicity

5) stewarding and security

6) liaison with the authorities (Metropolitan Police, Hyde Park, insurance company, Greater London Authority, Westminster Council etc.)

7) production and distribution of merchandise

8) production and display of multi-media material

9) liaison with speakers (including non-Sikh speakers)

10) attendance of non-Sikh groups and the general public

11) co-ordination with organisers of similar events in other countries

12) liaison and arrangements for Sikhs from mainland Europe

The following three additional project teams have been suggested:

13) Getting the maximum number of people out on the day

14) Programmes for the 'Park' and 'Square' with speakers/topics known in advance

15) Banners and placards for the day

[Taksali Singh]

STICKY PERHAPS?

How about it Admin?? :TH:

[balraj singh khalsa]

Have heard a rumour that one or two or is that three (one-man band) Khalistanis who are extremely unhappy that Young Sikhs will take a more central role in the rally and march for remembrance, justice and freedom are trying to cause difficulties.

They appear not to like the fact that the event will be run more professionally and are trying to get the support of non-other than Piara Khabra (yes that fairly useless MP for Southall who is pro-Indian) to try and lobby the Royal Parks, the GLA and others to try and disrupt the rally and march planned for 4 June.

These one-man band Khalistanis are showing their true colours. They either fear that they will lose the one stage they somehow manage to hijack and try and ruin each year or their paymasters are increasingly becoming worried be the activism of Young Sikhs at events like 'Sikhs in the Square' or the Worldwide Candle Lit Vigils some 21/22 years after 1984. These events are showing how to make a positive impact to highlight the plight of the Sikhs.

Young Sikhs supported by the larger more responsible organisations/elders - Sikh Federation (UK), Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Shromoni Akali Dal (Amritsar) etc. need to be alert to the tactics of these one-man band Khalistanis and turn up in larger numbers than ever before.

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

Although the "Rally/March for Remembrance, Justice and Freedom" is a success every year, Daas has a feeling that this year is going to be the biggest one ever as it is being organised on a more global scale.

This will also mean more global organisation and it is good the sangat is being informed as soon as possible in advance.

I think a Panthic event such as this at such a large scale with so much organsation required needs a Sticky on this forum as soon as possible. Admin Jee, Bentee for a Sticky?

Vaheguroo Jee Kaa Khalsa, Vaheguroo Jee Kee Phateh!!!

[balraj singh khalsa]

Have heard a rumour that one or two or is that three (one-man band) Khalistanis who are extremely unhappy that Young Sikhs will take a more central role in the rally and march for remembrance, justice and freedom are trying to cause difficulties. 

They appear not to like the fact that the event will be run more professionally and are trying to get the support of non-other than Piara Khabra (yes that fairly useless MP for Southall who is pro-Indian) to try and lobby the Royal Parks, the GLA and others to try and disrupt the rally and march planned for 4 June.

These one-man band Khalistanis are showing their true colours.  They either fear that they will lose the one stage they somehow manage to hijack and try and ruin each year or their paymasters are increasingly becoming worried be the activism of Young Sikhs at events like 'Sikhs in the Square' or the Worldwide Candle Lit Vigils some 21/22 years after 1984.  These events are showing how to make a positive impact to highlight the plight of the Sikhs.

Young Sikhs supported by the larger more responsible organisations/elders - Sikh Federation (UK), Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Shromoni Akali Dal (Amritsar) etc. need to be alert to the tactics of these one-man band Khalistanis and turn up in larger numbers than ever before.

151687[/snapback]

One-man band Khalistanis appear to have failed in disrupting the preparations for Sunday 4 June in central London. Desperate accusations against the Royal Parks Agency and Metropolitan Police of 'collusion' and 'bias' appear to have back-fired. There is no substitute for ones own incompetency.

Young Sikhs, Sikh Federation (UK), Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Shromoni Akali Dal (Amritsar) etc. should now push ahead with preparations and Sikhs in other countries should also begin planning.