The Sikh Activist Network

With Honor of Hosting Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra,

The Sikh Activist Network in association with The World Sikh Organization will be holding a 2 Day event to uncover and remember the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra and the disappearance/murders of thousands of Sikhs in Punjab.

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SCHEDULE

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DAY 1

September 11th, 1-6pm
Sheriden College (Room H131)
To Register Email:  info@sikhactivist.net

The first day will be a youth event, with free admission.  On this day, attendees will have the honor to meet with Jaswant Singh Khalra's wife and engage in a series of workshops including:

• Intimate discussion with Bibi Khalra
• Joining and working on  SAN’s first ever Graffiti Mural project
• Viewing of a Documentary Film on Torture in Punjab
• Discussing current human rights abuses in Punjab
• Meeting with those who witnessed torture by the Punjab Police

DAY 2

September 12th, 5-9pm
Dixie Gurughar, Hall #5

On the following day, The Sikh Activist Network, The World Sikh Organization, OntarioSikhs, SikhVibes and various other youth organizations will hold a Memorial Keertan in Memory of Jaswant Singh Khalra.

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What’s the Story of Jaswant Singh Khalra?

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In the late 1990′s Amnesty International named Jaswant Singh Khalra one of their Human Rights Defenders to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.  The acheivement, however was bitter-sweet.

The achievement highlighted Jaswant Singh Khalra’s unveiling of evidence regardingthe  thousands of illegal cremations/murders conducted by the Punjab Police in their cover-up to systematically target, torture and murder Punjabi Sikh Youth.  In only 1 of 17 districts in Punjab, Jaswant Singh Khalra unravelled the Punjab Polices murder of approximately 3000 youth.

After the Indian Supreme Court rejected Jaswant Singh Khalra’s effort to bring his evidence to court, stating that since the murders did not concern him directly he had no right to present them, he traveled the world to bring international attention to the issue.  In June 1995, he spoke on Canadian Parliament and in September 1995, after receiving threats from the Punjab police upon his return to Punjab, Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted.  It witness testimony it was later revealed that Jaswant Singh Khalra had been abducted by 4 Punjab Police officers on September 6th, kept in illegal custody and tortured until October 24th and murdered the same evening by the police, after being cut into pieces and thrown into the river Sutlej.  Five police officers were eventually sentenced to life in prison for his abduction and murder, but the chief architects of systematic killings, including former Punjab Police Chief KP Gill, remain free.

Even after receiving threats stating that if he did not stop his work, that he too would become an unidentified body from the Punjab Police, Jaswant Singh Khalra remained dedicated.  On the 15 year Anniversary of his Disappearance and Murder, we salute his great soul.

This Saturday July 17th, The Sikh Activist Network will be a supporting and joining numerous organizations including:

• OntarioSikhs
• SikhVibes
• and KaursUnited Toronto

For the first ever GENDER VIOLENCE SEMINER followed by an all night keertan (Rainbhayee).

The Network encourages everyone to attend both events and support the effort by  Young Sikh women and men to facilitate and encourage greater discourse around such sensitive issues in Canadian Society.

For More Information please view the poster for details.

DETAILS

4:30pm-5:30pm – Gender Violence Seminar
5:30pm-2:00am – Raensbhayee Kirtan

@ DIXIE GURDWARA – HALL 5

A Night of Hip Hop, Poetry, Spoken Word, Gatka and More…
To Remember 1984

Friday June 25
Mirage Banquet Hall

Featuring performances by:

Selena Dhillon
MC Noyz
Mandeep Sethi
Yudh Gatka Akhara
and more!

Admission: Pay What You Can
All Ages – Doors Open at 6pm

WHEN LIONS ROAR II: TEASER PROMO

A Night of Hip Hop, Poetry, and Performances:
Remembering the Attacks on Amritsar in 1984 and more…

June 25th, 2010
Doors Open at 6pm
Mirage Banquet Hall

Youth Event – Pay What You Can

Keep The Flame Burning! Never forget 1984 and change your facebook profile picture to the image below between June 3-6 in remembrance of the genocide conducted by the Indian government in 1984;

On the heels of yesterday’s insulting  statement by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, which disregarded 1984 being understood as a genocide or attack, we now have a glimmer of hope. Today NDP leader Jack Layton has released a statement in solidarity with the community, in sorrow and sadness over the invasion and killings of 1984.

Below is a copy of the statement released by the official office of Jack Layton.

On June 9th, 2010 Member of Parliament, Andrew Kania will join Sikhs in marking a moment in history that will forever be enshrined in the Sikh struggle for justice and aspirations for Human Rights.

On this day, Mr. Kania will read a motion in the House of Commons for the Government of Canada to officially recognize the genocides of November 1984 carried out in India.

The Sikh Activist Network, strongly urges all (com)passionate youth to take part in this landmark moment in Sikh History, in at least one of two ways.

• Sign the Petition (online|pdf) to show your support for the motion that will be read by Mr. Kania
• Join us on June 9th as we travel to Ottawa to attend the reading of the motion in the house.

The reading of the motion will be presented by Liberal MP, Andrew Kania at which point the Conservative Government will have 21 days to respond.  For any YOUTH  interested in attending please send the following information to info@sikhactivist.net as we make arrangements for free transportation to Ottawa.

• Name
• Phone #
• Email

(more…)

The following is a press release issued in response to false reports published by the Toronto Sun which have now been picked up by at least 2 media outlets.  After requesting that the article be removed and receiving assurance that it would be,  we continue to wait for the Toronto Sun to  follow through on its promise.

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Sikh Youth Organization Demands Retraction of False Statements in the Toronto Sun

Sikh Activist Network

TORONTO – The Sikh Activist Network demands a retraction of the false statements in an article published online by the Toronto Sun on Thursday, April 22, 2010. This article falsely claims that the Sikh Activist Network, a youth run organization based out of the Peel region, has been coordinating efforts to block Premier Dalton McGuinty’s attendance at the annual Khalsa Day parade in Toronto.

The Sikh Activist Network has never made a statement in regards to the attendance of Premier Dalton McGuinty at the Toronto Khalsa Day Parade. Furthermore, the Sikh Activist Network adheres to the Sikh spiritual belief in respect, tolerance and equality for all people regardless of sex, religion, gender, race or caste. As the Khalsa Day parade is an annual celebration of the Sikh New Year celebrated around the world, it is our position that that the Khalsa Day celebration is an inclusive space for all and all people are welcome to attend.

These false statements made by the Toronto Sun should not be confused with the efforts of Sikh community members of Ontario who are demanding an explanation regarding Premier McGuinty’s response to the Delhi Massacres of 1984. On March 23, 2010, Dalton McGuinty said, at an Etobicoke high school, that 1984 was “many years ago.” This statement was in reference to the concerns of Sikhs regarding the arrival in Canada of Kamal Nath, an alleged perpetrator of the Sikh genocide in 1984.

This statement made by Dalton McGuinty is concerning, as the wounds of  November 1984 are still fresh in the minds of Sikh communities in Canada. During November 1984, widespread massacres took place across India against the Sikhs, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed. It is important to note that many Sikhs fled to Canada during this time of turmoil and a large number of those who fled reside in Ontario today.

Media Contact:

Jagmeet S. Dhaliwal B.Sc., LL.B.
Counsel for the Sikh Activist Network

telephone:  647-407-2245
email: dhaliwal.law@gmail.com

If you missed out last year, this is your chance to have your voice heard by joining  1000+ youth at When Lions Roar!

The Sikh Activist Network is currently CALLING ALL ARTISTS for an opportunity express themselves on a day of not only remembrance but change and a celebration of resistance.

Use the power of words, art, unity and community at WHEN LIONS ROAR 2 to express your feelings, emotions and solidarity against oppression.

Examples of Artistic pieces can include:

• Gatka (Sikh Martial Arts)
• Spoken Word
• Playwright
• Hip Hop
• Graffiti/Visual Art
• Painters
• Dhadi
• Punjabi Folk and Traditional Performances
• Kavishri
• Tanti Saaj (classical instruments)
• and much more

Participation of our sisters is encouraged!

For more information, including details, the content package, orientation dates and this years themecontact us by May 7th, 2010 via email at LionsRoar@Sikhactivist.net (more…)

The Sikh Activist Network will be at this years Nagar Keertan in Downtown Toronto. For those interested in getting in involved ALL Chapters of SAN,  Seva Squad and The SAN Street Team will be out in full force! So rock your T and join us!

For more details email us at info@sikhactivist.net!