Washington D.C. Photo Credit: Ninaivukal.
TAMIL DIASPORA FROM CANADA AND THE U.S. HEADS TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO PROTEST OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE
On February 20th, 2009 as the humanitarian crisis continued, thousands of members of the Tamil diaspora from Canada and America rallied outside the White House in Washington D.C. to demand pressure from the U.S. government on the Sri Lankan state to end its aggressive military offensive. The rally was attended by Tamil supporters, advocacy groups, and leaders of organizations and was organized by a group called Tamils Against Genocide based in the U.S.
On April 17th, 2009 the Tamil diaspora marched in New York City outside the United Nations headquarters to Times Square to protest the ongoing genocide and the escalating casualties of civilians caught up in the armed conflict. Protestors called on the UN to intervene and call for an immediate ceasefire. Tasha Manoranjan, Executive Director of People for Equality and Relief (PEARL) expressed “I’m here because I am desperately concerned about the suffering, about the ongoing genocide against the Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka and we’re here calling upon the United Nations to take immediate action to go in and protect these Tamil civilians.”
Video Credit: AP Television.