Uk Sikh Protest Rally

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

UK SIKH PROTEST RALLY

Wednesday 15 August outside the Indian High Commission in London from 2-4pm

Each year Sikhs protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on 15 August, which marks Indian Independence. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Sikh slavery and the plan was more Sikhs should protest this year.

Given recent developments:

- the continued detention of Simranjit Singh Mann and 20 others since 14 May

- the recent arrest of Daljit Singh Bittu for his role in the Khalsa Action Committee and protests against the Sirsa Dera chief, which remains a challenge to Sikhs; and most recently

- the sentencing this week of Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh to death by hanging and life imprisonment for Shamsher Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Lakhwinder Singh

it has been suggested their should be a much larger gathering and protest rally on Wednesday 15 August.

It would be good if around 10 coaches could be arranged from locations, such as, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, East London, Gravesend, Leicester, Slough, Southall, Wolverhampton etc. and minibuses from other locations such as Bedford, Bradford, Bristol, Leamington, Leeds, Luton, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton, Walsall, Wednesfield, Willenhall etc. Those in and around London will also be able to travel by public transport. This should ensure a protest rally of 600-800 Sikhs.

Please speak to the Management Committees at your local Gurdwara and put pressure on all Panthic organisations to ensure transport is arranged so there is a good turnout. Youngsters that often read such messages should pass the word around locally, via the internet and ensure announcements are made at Gurdwaras for the next two weeks. Given it is the Summer we must aim for a good mix including more youngsters, women and children.

Similar protests are likely to be taking place on 15 August in other countries like Canada, Germany, USA etc.

Sikhs from a number of European countries have also been in touch to ask the Sikh Federation (UK) to help co-ordinate a European-wide protest outside the European Commission in Brussels - national and European Parliaments are all closed in August. This is being planned on a different date, details will be released as soon as possible.

A small contingency from the UK will also make the trip, but Sikhs from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium etc. will be there in larger numbers – with coaches to be organised from these countries. The Sikh Federation (UK) is liaising with the EU External Affairs Commissioner so a co-ordinated written approach can be made to the Foreign Ministers of all 27 Member States of the European Union.

Any talk of coaches in any of the following:

Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, East London, Gravesend, Leicester, Slough, Southall, Wolverhampton etc.

Any talk of minibuses from other locations such as:

Bedford, Bradford, Bristol, Leamington, Leeds, Luton, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton, Walsall, Wednesfield, Willenhall etc.

...There is talk of arrangements being made for coaches from WOLVERHAMPTON (and areas nearby). Hopefully there should be some confirmation for Sangat in the next few days...

Hearing on the network that coaches are being booked from Smethwick, Coventry, Derby, Leicester and Wolverhampton. Have also been hearing of more activism than normal, in and around London. This would suggest a minimum of 350-400 Sikhs. The Sikh youth are comimg better prepared than normal.

Could Sikhs in those towns and others confirm as soon as possible the transport arrangements - where coaches/minibuses are departing from and the times.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Any updates on the UK Sikh Protest Rally . . .

Understand Sikhs have been asked to dig out all their banners, placards etc. Also youngsters in London were going to get more placards made for the day. Any ideas for placards would be helpful. Youngsters have also arranged a sound system.

Later today will probably have details of a European-wide protest to take place - mainly for Sikhs in mainland Europe.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Many may have seen the following. It has been suggested that Sikhs in and around London (mainly the youth) - perhaps 50-100 - should distribute the flyers that are being produced for the 15 August UK Sikh Protest Rally.

Any thoughts?

PAKISTAN–INDIA & UK – FRIENDSHIP FORUM

“The Way Forward”

Email: info@ pakindiafriendship.com

Web: pakindiafriendship.com

Tel: 020 8575 3700 Fax: 020 8575 9900

Press Release

For the first time ever, The Pakistan , India & UK Friendship Forum will make history on August 16th 2007 at the SAS Radisson Hotel, London by hosting a joint 60th Independence Day Celebration of Pakistan and India . This is the first time a joint celebration will take place since they became independent from Britain in 1947. The event will be televised live on several TV channels including the BBC News 24 and Venus TV. The expected viewing audience will be over 40 million in 200 countries.

The Forum feels that with ever increasing globalization, it is important to promote better racial and religious tolerance in Britain amongst two of Britain ’s largest communities, those of Pakistani and Indian origin. Over 500 guests and dignitaries from both the communities along with Members from both Houses of Parliament are expected to attend the function. Artists from both the countries will give a cultural programme to entertain the guests. National anthems of Pakistan , India and Britain will be played together at the same event for the first time. National flags of all three countries will also fly side by side. The Forum will honour a number of people from British Society with Special Diversity Awards for promoting religious and racial tolerance in Britain .

The Forum’s aim is to help these two British communities come closer to each other for better understanding. This will lead to better community cohesion in Britain . Once these communities who share a common history, culture and heritage come forward, then it will be easier for them to integrate into mainstream British life. If the Pakistanis and Indians in the UK become friendly with one another, employment prospects for both communities will improve in the businesses owned by the respective communities. This is not the end. It will also lead to the doubling up of business between the two communities. If the Germans and British can put the past behind them and become friends, then why cannot the people of India and Pakistan ? They share a common heritage and history. The benefits of friendship between these two communities will not be limited to Britain alone. It will have a knock on effect in India , Pakistan and beyond. Who knows, one day there may be a similar organization promoting peace and friendship between the people of Palestine and Israel.

“When we trade goods, we stop trading bullets”

End.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Any updates on the UK Sikh Protest Rally . . .

Understand Sikhs have been asked to dig out all their banners, placards etc. Also youngsters in London were going to get more placards made for the day. Any ideas for placards would be helpful. Youngsters have also arranged a sound system.

Later today will probably have details of a European-wide protest to take place - mainly for Sikhs in mainland Europe.

SIKH FEDERATION (UK) ARRANGES FOR A EUROPEAN-WIDE DELEGATION OF SIKHS TO MEET WITH EU REPRESENTATIVES IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS TREATMENT OF SIKHS IN INDIA

The Sikh Federation (UK) has arranged a meeting next week in Brussels for a small European-wide delegation of Sikhs to meet with EU representatives to discuss the issues to be covered at the UK Sikh Protest Rally and similar rallies in other countries on 15 August. Namely:

- the 60th anniversary of Sikh slavery

- the continued detention of Simranjit Singh Mann and 20 others since 14 May

- the recent arrest of Daljit Singh Bittu for his role in the Khalsa Action Committee and protests against the Sirsa Dera chief, which remains a challenge to Sikhs; and most recently

- the sentencing of Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh to death by hanging and life imprisonment for Shamsher Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Lakhwinder Singh (EU representatives will also be reminded about Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar's case)

The treatment of Sikhs since Indian independence, EU opposition to the death penalty, attack on the freedom of speech and political activities of Sikhs - including the right to self determination will be covered at the meeting in Brussels. The objective will be that a written submission regarding the treatment of Sikhs is presented to all 27 Member States of the European Union.

A follow up European-wide protest and meeting [to be organised by the Sikh Federation (UK)] is likely to take place towards the end of August. The protest will be mainly for Sikhs in mainland Europe.

Note: The European-wide delegation of Sikhs to meet with EU representatives in Brussels next week must be small. There is likely to be one representative from each of the following countries - UK, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands who are members of the World Sikh Lobby Network set up the Sikh Federation (UK) in Switzerland in March 2007. If a representative from another EU country wishes to attend e.g. Spain, Portugal, Greece etc. they are urged to contact Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) as soon as possible.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Appears large protests will this year also be taking place in Toronto and Vancouver on 15 August.

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Any updates on the UK Sikh Protest Rally . . .

Understand Sikhs have been asked to dig out all their banners, placards etc. Also youngsters in London were going to get more placards made for the day. Any ideas for placards would be helpful. Youngsters have also arranged a sound system.

Later today will probably have details of a European-wide protest to take place - mainly for Sikhs in mainland Europe.

Confirmed coaches/minibuses would be helpful as this will help predict numbers.

[sikhlionz]

committee has confirmed there will be a coach going from GNG Smethwick

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

committee has confirmed there will be a coach going from GNG Smethwick

Any indication of the time the coach will be leaving from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick on Wednesday 15 August?

Will one coach be enough for the Birmingham Sangat?

Are any of the Gurdwaras in Birmingham putting on any transport?

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

committee has confirmed there will be a coach going from GNG Smethwick

Any indication of the time the coach will be leaving from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick on Wednesday 15 August?

Will one coach be enough for the Birmingham Sangat?

Are any of the Gurdwaras in Birmingham putting on any transport?

Understand newspaper adverts have mentioned coaches from Birmingham (presumably Smethwick), Leicester (Guru Teg Bahadar Gurdwara - double decker coach - have asked Sangat to be at the Gurdwara for 9.30am, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Some may bring more than one coach - if they have coaches on standby and/or bring minibuses where Sangat exceeds coach capacity.

Presumably Derby, East London, Gravesend, Slough, Southall etc. that could have had coaches will have minibuses.

Similarly minibuses/cars will come from other locations such as:

Barking, Bedford, Bradford, Bristol, Erith, Hayes, Hounslow, Leamington, Leeds, Luton, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton, Walsall, Wednesfield, Willenhall etc.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK POST HOW YOU ARE GETTING TO THE UK SIKH PROTEST RALLY

Remember to bring banners and placards

[sikhlionz]

we all know how "desi" GNG Smethwick is at this sort of stuff

i've been informed that bibiaan from Kaurageous will attend - if so Smethwick may need more than one coach Birmingham Sangataan please attend the UK Sikh Protest Rally and contact GNG Smethwick on 0121 558 2527 to tell them to book more!

tell everyone, bring your mates and make sure you turn up at 9am (the usual) on the day!!

a quick reminder of what this Rally is about:

- the 60th anniversary of Sikh slavery

- the continued detention of Simranjit Singh Mann and 20 others since 14 May

- the recent arrest of Daljit Singh Bittu for his role in the Khalsa Action Committee and protests against the Sirsa Dera chief, which remains a challenge to Sikhs; and most recently

- the sentencing of Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh to death by hanging and life imprisonment for Shamsher Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Lakhwinder Singh (EU representatives will also be reminded about Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar's case)