[IMC-UK-Features] Feature Proposal: Large Protests Erupt In Support Of Tamils

[wietse]

Hiya,

I've just put something quick together re: Tamil protests in London. I'm
hoping to publish this early tomorrow, with any news on the situation at
parliament square from overnight.

Large Protests Erupt In Support Of Tamils
https://we.riseup.net/imc-uk/large-protests-erupt-in-support-of-tamils

Cheers, Wietse

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Large Protests Erupt In Support Of Tamils

pic: http://indymedia.nl/img/2009/04/58720.jpg

Spontaneous protests have erupted in London as a result of the ongoing
state violence in Sri Lanka. Over 500 Tamil youths blockaded Westminster
Bridge on Monday and managed to close it of overnight. On Tuesday and
Wednesday numbers gathered outside parliament had reached up to 2000 to
call on Gordon Brown to ‘open his eyes’ and work towards securing an
immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka. Under the banner ‘Stop the genocide of
Tamils in Sri Lanka’ a protest march has been called for Saturday 11th
April at 1pm in Central London.

More than 300,000 Tamils are currently under siege by the Sri Lankan
forces. Aerial bombardments and shelling of civilians are continuing.
Women, children and elderly are dying as a direct result of the aerial
bombardment. There has been increased violence in Sri Lanka following
the capture of Tamil territory. It is estimated more than 70,000 people
have already died in the conflict.

On the newswire: Tamil protest still going strong / 8th April 3pm | A
lively night in Parliament Square | Tamil protest still going strong
/continues | Tamil Protest still going strong | Tamil Protest on
Westminster Bridge | Sri Lanka: Killings, Concentration Camps and
International Silence

Protests worldwide: Netherlands | South Africa | New Zealand | Glasgow

Links: British Tamils Forum | Sign the petition | Wikipedia on Tamil people

It has been a turbulent few days outside parliament with many hundreds
of Tamils gathering and unwilling to move until their demands are heard.
On Monday, about 200 Tamil’s (many carrying Tamil flags) blockaded
Westminster Bridge for many hours. The protest was loud but peaceful.
TSG arrived and the protest was kettled in by police for a few hours in
the early evening. About half of the demonstrators were youngsters on
their school holidays. Although police have tried to clear the area
outside parliament, Tamils have remained in place throughout Monday
night, Tuesday, Tuesday night en Wednesday. On Wednesday evening the
numbers had reportedly reached up to 2000. The protests were instigated
by Tamil youth groups acting independently of the more established
British Tamils Forum. The latter is organizing a demonstration at
Embankment at 1pm on Saturday 11th April.

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