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Petition Tag - protest
President Goodluck Jonathan has just fixed the price of petrol at N97 per litre while occupying major cities in Nigeria with Soldiers and the Police to deny Nigerians their right of association to engage in peaceful protests against the hike in Petrol prices.
This petition is with the view of gathering 20 million signatories to tell government to revert back to the status quo ante of N65 per litre as this represents the position of Nigerians.
2. Pressure Discovery Medical Aid to change limits on Allied Medical 
Discovery Health Medical Aid has drastically changed their coverage for all allied health professionals for 2012.
It is unreasonable to go from unlimited benefits to a low maximum.
We are asking Discovery Health Scheme to appoint an independent commission of enquiry to investigate alternative ways of curbing abuse of benefits, without capping the limits.
Please join us and show your support- we need as many signatures as possible to show Discovery MA that we have major support.
Lego universe has provided entertainment to many children (and adults) across the globe since October 2010 and is currently in a state of turmoil.
It is a diverse game with many quests and imaginative features to implement throughout, including combat, and in-depth story and property building. many fans are in distress over this so called closing but i will not stand for it.
I (and i'm sure many fans across the world too) are upset about this. If we want to keep this game, we as fans must unite, to save the universe!
AFRICOM is a military entity that is encircling Africa. It is the cutting edge of the imperialist war machine that brings drones and other military hardware that kills african and destabilises the region.
AFRICOM threatens the peace and stability in Africa and drives a colonial agenda that is destructive and exploitative. Africa, in order to develop itself in peace, needs all war machines off its soil so as it has a sovereign integrity and political independence.
There will never be peace in Africa as long as AFRICOM is on its soil.
Directors of a company told lies to their workers about the financial state of the organization and abused an invoice factoring service by submitting large numbers of invoices for goods that were never manufactured.
They then took advantage of loopholes in Employment law to withhold wages and cheat employees out of money owed, leaving them poorer, stressed, suffering sleepless nights, and ultimately unemployed.
Harrow East MP, Bob Blackman was asked to take action in this case; but instead procrastinated and failed to have the aforementioned Directors struck off, failed to pass legislation to close the legal loopholes, ignored calls for an inquiry into this scandal, and instead claimed that this issue is "not in the public interest". He now refuses to answer further correspondence about this scandal.
Therefore, we say that this matter is in the public interest, that Bob Blackman has failed to represent the concerns of his constituents, and therefore should resign or be impeached from Public office. More details here.
6. PLEDGE TO BOYCOTT FAMILY DOLLAR
WHEREAS
The Family Dollar retail chain, with annual revenues in excess of seven billion dollars, has announced it will open one of its "big box" stores in the small town of Ridgway, CO.
WHEREAS
Ridgway supports locally owned and operated businesses, and the citizens promote smart, sustainable development which primarily benefits the local economy rather than an elite few in a large national corporation.
WHEREAS
The Family Dollar corporation will most likely take business away from smaller local businesses, put some of them out of business, and ultimately destroy more jobs locally than it creates.
WHEREAS
Ridgway has been able to preserve its unique and distinctive "Old West" small town character up until now and wants to keep it that way.
WHEREAS
Despite the fact that the citizens have staged numerous protest rallies, and more than 700 people have signed a petition asking Family Dollar NOT to open a store in their town, the corporation has ignored the town's pleas.
WHEREAS
Legally, Ridgway cannot prevent Family Dollar from moving in or deny them a building permit, which they have now obtained, and the citizens' sincere and open appeal to the corporation - letting it know it is not welcome in their town - has gone unheeded.
Charlie Gilmour has been given a 16 month jail sentence for his actions during student protests, despite not having actually hurt anyone. The sentence seems unnecessarily harsh and is likely to cause further serious psychological hurt to a young man already struggling with difficult personal issues.
Charlie Gilmour has apologised for his actions but appears to be a scapegoat for those members of the establishment who feel outraged by his disrespect for national icons such as the Prince of Wales and the Cenotaph.
A much lighter sentence would seem to be more appropriate in this case.
8. NO to Bahrain Grand Prix - Appeal to Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
We, the undersigned appeal to your organisation NOT to grant permission to hold the event in Bahrain given the current situation in the country.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is currently under martial law after the government's lethal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in March 2011.
Some 30+ unarmed civilians have been killed by security forces (some at point-blank range or as the result of torture). Alleged supporters of the protests have been beaten up by masked government security personnel, arrested at roadblocks and taken from their homes mainly in the 70% majority Shia villages. Some have died in custody.
100's of civilians have gone missing including men, women, children, medical personnel, human rights supporters and pro-democracy politicians.
Secret military trials of civilians have begun with no right of access to independent legal counsel. Four individuals have now been sentenced to death.
There is now no free media in the country and electronic communication is routinely monitored, blocked and throttled.
In a sectarian witch-hunt by the government, 1,000+ individuals have been sacked from their jobs for allegedly participating in the demonstrations. Students have been expelled from schools and universities and some studying overseas have had financial grants withdrawn and threats made against them for supporting the peaceful democracy movement.
By allowing the Bahrain authorities to go ahead with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the FIA would communicate to the international community that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Formula One Management, its sponsors and participants condone the human rights abuses being committed by the Al-Khalifa government on its own people.
Related resources:
Amnesty International - A Human Rights Crisis
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Ratification of International Human Rights Treaties - Bahrain
9. NO to Bahrain Crown Prince at UK Royal Wedding
The Crown Prince of Bahrain has accepted an invitation by the British government to attend the Royal Wedding on 29 April.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is currently under martial law after the government's lethal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in March 2011.
Some 25+ unarmed civilians have been killed by security forces (some at point-blank range). Alleged supporters of the demonstrations have been beaten up by masked government security personnel and arrested at roadblocks and in their homes.
Some 800+ individuals have gone missing including men, women, children and medical personnel. The whereabouts of most remain unknown. Many continue to be tortured while under arrest.
In a witch-hunt by the government, 1,000+ individuals have been sacked from their jobs for allegedly participating in the demonstrations. Students have been expelled from schools and universities and some studying overseas (including Britain) have had financial grants withdrawn and threats made against them for supporting the peaceful democracy movement.
Useful Resources:
Amnesty International - A Human Rights Crisis
http://bit.ly/gYneNu
Medecins Sans Frontieres
http://www.msf.org.uk/Bahrain_Report__20110407.news
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
http://www.bahrainrights.org/en
BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9458855.stm
Many more news links available at http://www.thepearlroundabout.org
Iranian actor and filmmaker Ramin Parchami, who was arrested during anti-government protests on 14 February, has been sentenced to a year in prison.
The 38-year-old was arrested during protests held in solidarity with the Arab uprisings of Egypt and Tunisia in February 2011. According to Green Movement website Kaleme, until a few days ago, the actor had been held in solitary confinement in ward 209 of Evin prison under the supervision of the Intelligence Ministry. However, he is now being held in ward 350.
“There’s no precise information about Parchami’s case, but it’s been said that the reason for his arrest on 14 February was his insistence to stay in the protest. Plain-clothed agents who had spotted him in the crowd warned him a number of times to leave the demonstrations, but he ignored their words and was arrested in the end,” reported Kaleme.
According to the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, Parchami’s one year jail-term was issued by branch 13 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran under Judge Eslami on charges of “acting against national securiting through taking part in an illegal assembly, attempting to film and disrupting public order.”
Parchami’s trial was held on Wednesday 12 April and his transfer to the court took place “under security measures” and he was seen “handcuffed, with long a beard and a not-so-appropriate appearance while accompanied by a number of policemen.”
Parchami has a master’s degree in directing and acting, and has directed and acted in a number of films and television series. He is also a former editor-in-chief of the cultural weekly Naghsh Afarinan.
The barbaric human rights violations carried out by the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to continue.
Please do not stand by. Please sign this petition.
Ramin Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/RaminParchami
11. Petition the British Government to take action to protect the students of Bahrain and their families
On the 14th of February protestors took to the streets of Bahrain demanding the introduction of a constitutional monarchy and constitutional reform that promotes basic human rights, civil liberties, power sharing, equal access to employment, and the right to choose a new prime minister.
The government’s crackdown came to involve nighttime raids on the homes of pro-democracy protestors or anyone suspected of supporting them. Many were threatened, sexually harassed, raped, brutally tortured, arrested and even murdered. The regime's arrest campaign came to include women, children, doctors, teachers, human rights activists and anyone who could be a potential opposition member. This systematic intimidation campaign is continuing and a sense of despair seems to be engulfing the citizens of Bahrain wherever they maybe.
The invasion from neighboring Saudi and the United Arab Emirates has made the situation worst and a sectarian dimension has now been brought into the mix. Many Bahraini's are from the Shia majority and can’t help, but feel the brunt of the hate and utter disregard these occupying forces have shown toward their Bahraini brothers and sisters.
Students from Bahrain who are attending universities overseas are not in isolation from these events as many of them have family members or friends who were directly affected by the brutality of the regime. They are also saddened by the lack of media coverage of the severity of the situation and the way the plight of the people of Bahrain has been ignored by the international community and as a result some of them decided to demonstrate on their behalf.
As a consequence, the government of Bahrain has now started to indiscriminately target students studying abroad. Government sponsored students had their scholarships and financial support revoked by the government a few days after participating in demonstrations or writing comments on social networks. The termination of the scholarships with immediate effect is creating a dire financial need, as well as emotional and mental distress. They are all now living in fear for our safety and wellbeing and know that we are likely to be detained on our return to Bahrain. There are many documented cases of students disappearing on returning to Bahrain. The students of Bahrain really have no idea where this is heading for them and don’t know what will become of them.
Links: The Mule – government targeting Bahrain Students in Britain
http://manchestermule.com/article/bahraini-protestors-in-manchester-targeted
CNN Video on crackdown in Bahrain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgyTR1oEZg&feature=player_embedded
Recent Report on situation in Bahrain from Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE11/017/2011/en/e8a103c8-4b20-4a8e-8340-e798ad731646/mde110172011en.html
Press TV on government suppressing students in Bahrain:
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/173405.html
12. EUROPA MUSS DIE POLITISCHE VERANTWORTUNG FÜR MILLIONEN STRAßENTIERE ÜBERNEHMEN
Jahr für Jahr sterben mitten in Europa Millionen Straßentiere: in Tötungslagern, die sich „Tierheime“ nennen, oder aber in der „Freiheit“- an Hunger, Kälte, Krankheiten, Gift.
Zwar gibt es oft lokale Gesetze, die dies eigentlich verbieten, doch kümmern sich oft weder lokale Behörden, noch die zuständigen Organe der Exekutive um die Einhaltung der Gesetze.
Selbst die barbarischsten Tierquälereien ziehen keine strafrechtlichen Folgen nach sich, da sie im Regelfall nicht geahndet werden.
Am 1. Dezember 2009 ist der Vertrag von Lissabon (sog. EU-Reformvertrag) in Kraft getreten. Das Vertragswerk besagt, dass die Union und die einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten den Erfordernissen des Wohlergehens der Tiere als fühlende Wesen Rechnung zu tragen haben.
Doch die Ratifizierung dieses Vertrages bedeutet leider nicht automatisch das Ende des brutalen Massensterbens.
Daher müssen nun unbedingt auf die Worte auch Taten folgen.
13. End to Glasgow University Student Occupations
On the 22nd of March 2011 the University of Glasgow tried to evict the students occupying the Hetherington Building.
This was met with considerable resistance by those within the building and a large police presence was required to keep things under control.
After this, protesters moved to the Senate Rooms to begin a new occupation. The protesters have called police actions 'heavy handed'.
14. Free Mehdi Ramezani Father of Martyr Ramin Ramezani
Father of Iranian martyr Ramin Ramezani, who was killed On June 11, 2009, during the post-election protests has been arrested on 7 Dec 2010 after visiting his son's gravesite.
In the one and a half years after his son’s death, his father who has not been without sorrow even for a day has now been arrested and jailed. This is the first time that the father of a slain protester is arrested and jailed.
On 25 Dec 2010 Mehdi Ramezani contacted his family and told them that authorities has issued 200 million toman ($200.000) bail for his release. Mr Ramezani's family have told the reporters they are unable to provide such amount bail for his release.
The human rights violations carried out by the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to continue.
Please do not stand by. Please sign this petition
15. Ben Brown APOLOGIZE to Jody McIntyre!
The BBC interviewed Jody McIntyre (disabled man) on Air about what happened to him in the recent student protests. Jody McIntyre was thrown off his wheelchair and dragged across the road. Video footage on youtube shows this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXNJ3MZ-AUo .
The Interview was very one sided and Ben Brown (the BBC journalist) as it looks tries to ask Jody Stupid questions about what happened trying to make Jody McIntyre look a fool. One of the questions that was asked to Jody McIntyre a number of times was if he was wheeling towards the police. Jody does well to keep calm and comeback with good objections. Well done Jody McIntyre we are right behind you!
16. Falmouth and Truro against the Cuts
On Saturday the 4th December Sarah Newton is coming to Tremough Campus for a meeting between 3-4pm at the Tremough Library, Penryn.
Those against the cuts are encouraged to turn up to confront her, where we will be presenting her with this petition. Please sign and publicise!
17. Support for student action against cuts
On the 10th of November, over 50,000 people marched in the streets against cuts to education and the proposed increase of tuition fees to £9,000. The 24th of November was a national day of action, in which students at over 15 universities went into occupation, and in which school students walked out of their classes.
This sends a powerful message to government that people are not willing to put up with the destruction of the futures of an entire generation.
At the UCU’s Higher Education sector conference on 25 November, an emergency motion was passed calling on the UCU National Executive Committee to back a national demonstration and to support student walkouts when the tuition fee Bill is debated in Parliament in December. This petition is designed to support, and firm up, this motion and to let the NEC know that there is real support amongst academic staff for the student action.
After the election and the eruption of widespread anti-government protests, through intimidation and false promises, Iranian student Hamed Rouhinejad was forced to plead guilty in a show trials which resulted in issuing a death penalty by branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court. According to his father, Rouhinejad was initially charged with spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic. At his trial, he was accused of membership in the Association of Iran's Monarchy.
Rouhinejad has denied the charges. On Jan 2010 the death sentence of Hamed was reduced to 10 years of suspended imprisonment by the supreme court.
Hamed suffers from multiple sclerosis, and is in critical condition in Zanjan prison, northwestern Iran, where he is being held in solitary confinement. He has been denied visits and phone calls.
On Oct 19 2010 his father in an interview with radio farda said I visited Hamed 3 weeks ago on that occasion "He was in very poor health, physically and mentally."
He added that physicians at Evin prison and Imam Khomeini hospital have said that Hamed should be released from jail for at least three months for medical treatment, but neither the judge, nor the prosecutor agreed to that.
When he was transferred from Tehran to Zanjan, Hamed’s health deteriorated considerably due to lack of medical care. He is now at serious risk of dementia and death.
His Father added : I ask from all internal and international organizations, the Secretary-General of the UN, and Doctors without Borders to please examine my son’s situation. If they conclude that my son can endure being in prison under these conditions, there will be no objection. But anyone who sees Hamed just for a few minutes knows that he will not survive these conditions. I don’t believe my child will survive another month.
The barbaric human rights violations carried out by the Iranian regime cannot be allowed to continue.
Please do not stand by. Please sign this petition.
Hamed Facebook Page:
http://on.fb.me/99MibR
News Sources:
http://www.rferl.org/content/Iranian_Father_Worried_For_Jailed_Sons_Health/2194687.html
http://persian2english.com/?p=15308
19. Петиција против параде поноса хомосексуалаца
Упућено грађанима Србије са молбом да утичу на патриотске организације које ће тако да врше притисак на власт разним мирним и организованим грађанским протестима у градовима Србије, како се овај јавни скуп не би одржао, јер је хомосексуализам болест и погубно ће се све одразити на омладину ако се отвори пандорина кутија девијантних понашања под маском "слободног избора".
20. Keep United Green and Gold
Stretford-End.com are campaigning to Manchester United FC to refrain from using the green and gold colours on their kits until the Glazers have relinquished or otherwise cease controlling the club.
The campaign is also to signify the supporters desire to restore green and gold to the clubs official away colours after the Glazers' time at the club has ended.
Thanks to ManUtd24.wordpress.com for supporting the campaign.
21. The T.E.A. Party will not tolerate racism
The media has reported incidents of racism at TEA Party rallies. Though unsubstantiated in many cases, there is some evidence of this. The goal of this petition is to condemn any sign of racism at any TEA Party event or Town Hall meetings around the country.
By signing this petition, you pledge to condemn racism in politics at every level. The petition signatures will be forwarded to the media, in hopes that they will report this effort.
22. บทบาทของสถานเอกอัครราชฑูตต่อสถานการณ์การเมืองไทย
การสร้างภาพลักษณ์ของประเทศบนพื้นฐานข้อมูลที่ถูกต้องและครอบคลุมมีความสำคัญอย่างยิ่งในชุมชนโลกยุคโลกาภิวัตน์ ข้าพเจ้าจึงขอเชิญชวนพี่น้องคนไทยในประเทศสิงคโปร์ ร่วมกันลงนามสนับสนุนให้สถานเอกอัครราชฑูตไทย ประจำประเทศสิงคโปร์ได้เข้ามามีบทบาทในการทำความเข้าใจกับสื่อมวลชนเกี่ยวกับเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้น และจัดให้มีกิจกรรมเพื่อเสริมสร้าง ความสามัคคีปรองดองของพี่น้องชาวไทยในสิงคโปร์ ดังมีรายละเอียดตามเอกสารแนบข้างล่าง การลงนามจะมีตั้งแต่วันจันทร์ ที่ 7 มิถุนายน 2553 เวลา 8 นาฬิกา ถึง วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 10 มิถุนายน 2553 เวลา 23.59 (หมายเหตุ หากช่วงค่ำของวันพฤหัสบดี ยังมีคนมาร่วมลงนามเป็นจำนวน มากอยู่ ทางตัวแทนอาจจะมีการเลื่อนปิดการลงนามออกไป ซึ่งจะแจ้งให้ทราบต่อไป)
ด้วยความเคารพอย่างสูง
ดร พณชิต กิตติปัญญางาม
สถาบันวิจัยทางด้านเทคโนโลยีการ สื่อสารข้อมูล
ประเทศสิงค์โปร์
รศ ดร ฐิติมา สุทธิวรรณ
มหาวิทยาลัยแห่งชาติสิงค์โปร์
23. Stop using force on Red Shirt protestors
Dear citizen of the world,
At the time of writing this petition, armoured vehicles are bull-dozing and live bullets are flying through the camps of the Red Shirts. The dead toll of the Red Shirts protesters is at least 30 with another 5000 people in the camp. Recently Thailand situation has deteriorated drastically and the government is still stepping up on the crackdown of the Red Shirts protesters.
There is very little international bodies can do about Thailand current situation as it is a domestic affair and the people are suffering. We the citizen of the world can do our little part to petition to the country and urge prevent the would-be massacre.
The situation is very urgent and intensifying, thus please sign and forward this to all your friends/ forums/ facebook/ twitter/ etc.
Hope we can unite a million signature to declare our concern.
For more information:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNGtD6JnlY8&feature=related
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1057608/1/.html
24. Let Us Change the City Colleges of Chicago Academic Policy for the Nursing Program
We are the Nursing Students of the City Colleges of Chicago, united we will stand and fight for our Rights as students and for our Dreams.
We the Nursing Students are not against the City Colleges of Chicago. No, we are not against the HESI Exit Examination. We are against the Unjust Academic Policy of the City Colleges of Chicago for the Nursing Program.
We the Nursing Students are against how the City Colleges of Chicago are using the HESI (Health Education System, Inc.) Exit Examination to hold our Nursing Degree. HESI is not part of the nursing curriculum and therefore should not be a requirement for Pinning and Graduation Ceremony.
We the Nursing Students are against how the City Colleges of Chicago is using the HESI Exit Exam to exploit government grants from nursing students.
We the Nursing Students are against how the City Colleges of Chicago is using HESI Exit Examination for Discrimination. HESI should not be determined by the socioeconomic standard or population of the nursing school.
We the Nursing Students believes that the HESI Exit Examination should only be used as an assessment tool to evaluate the competency of nursing students, to help them strengthen their area of weaknesses, and to prepare them for the NCLEX-RN.
25. Change the City Colleges of Chicago Academic Policy for the Nursing Program
We are the Nursing Students of the City Colleges of Chicago, united we will stand and fight for our Rights as Students and for our Dreams.
We the Nursing Students are not against the City Colleges of Chicago. No, we are not against the HESI Exit Examination. We are against the Unjust Academic Policy of the City Colleges of Chicago for the Nursing Program.
We the Nursing Students are against on how the City Colleges of Chicago is using the HESI Exit Examination to hold our Nursing Degree.
26. Stop the killings In Thailand
As you properly know, there is an undemokratic dictatorship in Thailand, which will not let democracy come up. Many innocent people dying these days in the streets of Bangkok.
And the government reject to stop the shooting, and rather will take the responsibility for all their action, they also ignore and reject any compromise and appointment with the political opposition.
As you can see in all the independent international news, blogs, boards and You tube as well, there is enough proof an evidence for you to take some action.
27. Make it a crime to protest at a Military Funeral
Help us organize support for any law, amendment, or court decision that makes it illegal to protest at funerals.
One cult in particular has been protesting numerous funerals, including the funerals of fallen soldiers, for the past 20 years. This cult is called the Westboro Baptist Church.
Recently, attention has been magnified on this issue due to a certain event. The WBC, doing what they usually do, was picketing at Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder's funeral, holding signs saying despicable things, like Thank God for Dead Soldiers. LCpl. Snyder's family and friends, already grieving from the loss of someone close to them, were forced to listen to protesters screaming profanities as they tried to conduct a wake.
Lance Cpl. Snyder's father, Al Snyder, proceeded to sue the WBC for emotional distress. At first, Snyder won $5,000,000 when a Jury declared he was justified in his suit, but the WBC appealed.
The WBC won its appeal, and the court ordered Al Snyder to pay $16,000 in legal fees to the cult which dishonored the memory of his fallen son.
Any true American would realize that this is a complete outrage. All the members of this group stand together in our belief that new laws should be provided federally prohibiting any group from protesting at a funeral.
The case is pending an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the WBC on the grounds of protected First Amendment speech, we will press for a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Depending on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in this upcoming case, expect a demonstration in a City near you.
28. Bring The EDL To Newcastle Upon Tyne
TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH EAST ABOUT THE ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR, PEACEFULLY PROTESTING ABOUT SHARIA LAW AND MUSLIM EXTREMISTS WHO OPENLY PREACH HATE AGAINST US.
ALTHOUGH NEWCASTLE HASN'T A PROBLEM WITH MUSLIM EXTREMISM AS SUCH THE MESSAGE HAS TO GET ACROSS THAT IT'S MORE THAN LIKELY ON ITS WAY... HELP US HELP YOU AND KEEP OUR CITYS, TOWNS AND STREETS SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN. NO SURRENDER TO AL QEADA.
On December 5th, Sikhs were attacked without provocation or warning. Police and paramilitary forces opened fire to stop Sikh protesters belonging to religious organizations marching towards a controversial anti-Sikh two-day event organized in Ludhiana by Dera Divya Jyoti of Ashutosh.
The Punjab Police did not use water cannons to stop the protesting Sikhs, did not fire rubber bullets to quell the protestors, and did not use tear gas, but resorted to firing live bullets into the protestors, killing Darshan Singh Lohara of district Ludhiana. Possibly more than nineteen people were injured, and two are in critical condition (The details of their present condition can be shared with you, if requested). The death toll is expected to increase, since there are many who have gone missing after the event, and their lives are unaccounted for.
Sikhs are particularly upset at what has been interpreted as double standards and deliberate provocation of Sikhs. Earlier, on December 3rd and 4th, there was widespread arson and violence instigated by the migrant workers in three-quarters of Ludhiana. This was permitted without any action taken by the police. However, the protest march by Sikh religious organizations was met with the use of a batons and live ammunition. After the incident, the Sikh religious organizations called for a peaceful closure in Ludhiana. Cases were registered against Ashutosh and BJP MLA Harish Bedi, who were reported to have fired shots at Sikh protesters. Meanwhile, the Punjab government recognized the seriousness of the situation and, while maintaining its solidarity towards the accused officials, ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
Despite an indefinite curfew in the city, there has been an uproar across Punjab at the heavy handed action of the police and paramilitary forces towards the Sikhs, who were unlawfully targeted. Upon seeing footage and photographs, reports are coming in of thousands of Sikhs preparing to travel to Ludhiana to participate in further protests. Voices For Freedom, a Human Rights organization, has warned many times in the last few months that if the Government of India continues to sponsor and support heretic cults, who are hell-bent on denigrating the basic postulates of Sikhism and poke fun at the Sikhs by resorting to blasphemous utterances, a civil war could arise in the state of Punjab. http://www.panthic.org/articles/5186
As (Friends of) American Sikhs, we urge you to take up this matter as our elected representative with the Foreign Secretary or the Indian authorities on our behalf. This is a serious human rights violation that requests your utmost attention. Your active role in bringing justice to thousands of Sikhs in India would surely reflect on your promise for freedom here in America. You have the power to stop unnecessary bloodshed and protect innocent citizens from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
30. Let Greenpeace Activists Go!
Nearly 40 Greenpeace activists including Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace have been arrested for peacefully protesting the destruction of the Alberta tar sands.
Those arrested face fines and jail time for their peaceful acts of protest. Despite their plight, these heroes maintain their position and intend fully to return to the fight once they are able. Alberta's premier has labled these people as terrorists, having decided to punish them to the full extent of the law.
Thank you for your support,
Jenny Smith,
Environmental Technician.
To make a donation to Greenpeace, go to;
https://secure.greenpeace.ca/renewal/index.php
