Sf (Uk) Press Release - Nov84 Candle Vigil 2011

[UKsikhz]

SIKH FEDERATION (UK) PRESS RELEASE

WORLDWIDE CANDLE VIGILS CALLING FOR JUSTICE FOR THE NOVEMBER 1984 VICTIMS OF ANTI-SIKH POGROMS – Derby 2^nd Nov 2011

A Worldwide Day of Protest and Remembrance was held on Wed 2^nd November 2011. Candles were lit in prominent places in cities throughout the world, including Derby, Birmingham, London, Rome, Paris, New York, Toronto and in India itself.

More than 150 Sikhs and citizens from Derby ignored the rain and joined the Vigil. They lit candles in Derby’s Market Square from 6pm till 8pm. This candle light vigil was to remember those innocent Sikh men, women and children that were brutally slaughtered in Delhi and 130 other cities in northern India in November 1984 following the death of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Up to 20,000 Sikhs were attacked, burnt alive and murdered by armed mobs. They looted and set fire to Sikh homes, businesses and schools, and attacked Gurdwara’s, displacing more than 50,000 across Northern India

The remembrance event was attended by local councillors including Joe Natter who addressed the crowd saying “we all as human beings, especially Sikhs should never forget the tragic events of 1984, and should continue in the pursuit of justice for the victims..” The event was broadcast live by the Sikh Channel (sky 840) across the UK & Europe.

Many other speakers shared their thoughts with the attendees. Gurmel Singh, a Managing Director of the Sikh Federations UK who organised the event, highlighted the need for justice. He said ‘after 27 years the perpetrator roam free, and the Sikhs have been ignored by the Indian state, as the guilty Congress party leaders have not been punished for the genocide they organised. He urged the Sikh community to actively push the UK government, international governments and human rights organisations to question India on its lack of justice for the Sikhs.

Videos and images taken from the scenes of the slaughter were shown on a large screen, emotional true stories of the widows and victims of rape were played. This was a very poignant moment when each attendee just carried their own thoughts of remembrance of those victims with their own candles.

The Sikh Federation would like to thank all those who bared the weather and marked the remembrance day, all the Gurdwara committees who supported the event and provided refreshments for the attendees, the councillors for their support, the Sikh Channel and the Derby City Council for the use of the Market place.

Jaswinder Singh

Press Secretary

(Member of the Sikh Federation’s National Management Team)

SIKH FEDERATION (UK) DERBY

[hsisingh]

I don't know if you have published this press release yet, but there is an error in the last paragraph... "bared" is to be naked or undressed - I assume that is not what you mean. You can say '...please bear with me..' to indicate to someone to be patient.

I am not sure you would write..."....who beared the weather...."

It maybe better to say something like..."The Sikh Federation would like to thank all those who put up with the poor weather and marked the remembrance day..."

Hope it helps.