[Onthebarricades] Anti-racist protests, November 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* SWEDEN: Dozens arrested at antifa protest
* SPAIN - MELILLA: Migrants clash with border goons
* GREECE: Protests for, against migrants
* UK: Reading - Muslims set up crisis group against "extremism" initiative
* INDIA: Nationwide protest against illegal detention of Muslim youths
* CANADA: Protest over Islamophobic article on honour killing
* TURKEY: Alevi groups protest rights violations
* GREECE: Hunger strikers win leave to remain
* US: San Francisco - Protests against immigrant raids
* US: Cranston - Protest against police racism
* ISRAEL: Ethiopians blockade PM's office over camp conditions
* UK: Protest against Congo deportations
* SCOTLAND - UK: Two anti-racism protests
* INDIA: Protests against anti-Bihari pogroms continue
* INDIA: Christians protest pogroms in Orissa
* INDIA: Karnataka - Celebration of language status victory
* INDIA: Tamil Nadu - Protest over killing of Dalit youth
* US: Arizona - Arpaio protesters "undeterred by win"
* US: Texas - Modern-day lynching sparks protest
* US/INDIA: American Indian groups protest communalist appointment
* US: Fresno - Protest over news anchor racism; station reaches deal
* UK: Immigration centre protested
* INDIA: Kerala - Protest over condition of hostels
* INDIA: AP - Hare Krishna protest
* ASSAM - INDIA: Protest over discrimination against Assam film-makers
* INDIA: Karnataka - Protest for dalit appointment
* INDIA: Kerala - Protest for reservations
* INDIA: Tamil Nadu - Protest against anti-Dalit attacks
* INDIA: Tamil Nadu - Dalit Christians protest scheduled list exclusion
* INDIA: Delhi - Scheduled caste and tribe forum









http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D94PCJIO5.html

Swedish police detain 56 protesters
Article from:
AP Worldstream
Article date:
November 30, 2008
| Copyright information

Swedish police say they have detained 56 people in the southern town of 
Lund to stop a violent confrontation between left-wing and right-wing 
extremists.
Police spokesman Calle Persson says left-wing protesters attacked police 
with cobblestones as police tried to keep them away from a right-wing 
demonstration.






http://www.traveljournals.net/stories/27526.html

Fascist Protest!!
2008-12-02, Lund, Sweden
Previous | All | Next

Hello everyone!

I know it's only been a few days, but I had to update again because our 
student housing was surrounded by a fascist protest on Sunday. Not even 
kidding you. So here's what happened...

On Sunday during the day I decided to do a bit of shopping because it 
was pretty nice outside and Isaac was off swimming with Edwin. So I go 
out and the whole town is full of christmas lights, and there are tents 
set up in the city center with events and singers, and there was a 
little christmas market with rides and a tent where you could get the 
traditional Swedish christmas drink called "Glogg"...it tastes a lot 
like hot apple cider. So basically there were a bunch of lovely 
christmas festivities going on which was great.

Then at around 3:30pm I started heading back home only to realize that 
there were police set up at every corner, and as soon as I started 
nearing our student housing, there were police on horses and a bunch of 
police vans, and lots of people just standing around. I thought it was a 
bit odd, but I just went back home and figured maybe it was because of 
all the festivities going on in the city. However, about 30 minutes 
later, Isaac and Ed came home and informed me that there was going to be 
a fascist protest that evening!! And omg was there ever.

By like 5 oclock there was the fascist group who had torches and were 
standing right beside our building, and there was the anti fascist group 
who were chanting "(something, something) inte fascista!" I couldn't 
understand the first part, but the second part means no fascism or 
something. Anyway, there were tons of people swarming around our 
building and the police were riding around on their horses, and people 
were throwing rocks and causing havoc, it was crazy!!! But really cool 
to witness. Apparently there is some kind of traditional background to 
it, something about an old fascist swedish king, and he died on this day 
and some people still believe in and worship this king, so ever since 
there have been these protests on November 30th. Don't quote me on that, 
but that's what I hear!

Other than that though, the toga party was really good, I've put up some 
pictures! and today me Erin, Chris and Ed went to ikea to get some 
Christmas decorations, and now our floor looks all christmas-y! I'll 
take some pictures.

Anyway, I will have a lot going on this last month so I will try to 
update as much as possible!

TTFN

Love love love!
Rachel







http://www.cerium.ca/Police-migrants-clash-at-border-of

10 November 2008

Police, migrants clash at border of Spanish enclave
CNN Europe
African migrants armed with sticks and rocks stormed the border of a 
Spanish enclave in North Africa Monday but police using tear gas 
repelled them, the Spanish Interior Ministry said.
Border guards repelled two waves totaling about 200 Africans in the 
fifth and largest such attempt to reach the Spanish city of Melilla from 
Morocco in less than a month, said Gregorio Escobar, the ministry’s top 
representative in Melilla.
No migrant managed to cross into the Mediterranean city of some 70,000 
people.
Moroccan authorities detained most of the 150 Africans who tried to rush 
a border crossing in a first attempt. Less than an hour later, a group 
of about 60 turned violent as they tried to force their way across and 
Spanish authorities used riot gear and tear gas to keep them out, 
Escobar said.
Two Spanish police were slightly injured and six other officers were 
treated after inhaling tear gas, he said.
Thousands of African migrants seeking a better life in Europe try to 
enter Spain each year. Most try to reach the Canary Islands by boat and 
others try to enter Melilla or Ceuta, another Spanish enclave on 
Morocco’s coast.
Police have prevented migrants from crossing into Melilla on all the 
previous attempts over the past weeks except on one occasion when 37 
migrants got through. They were later detained on Spanish soil.
Each time, migrants tried to get through a section of border fence 
damaged in torrential rains in late October. On Monday, however, they 
targeted a regular border crossing used daily by thousands of people.
The migrants often spend weeks or months living in a forest on the 
Moroccan side of the frontier as they await a chance to cross into Melilla.
The rains in October washed away most of their belongings and made 
living conditions even worse, said Khalil Jemmah, the head of Morocco’s 
Association of Victims of Illegalized Migration.
"They’re desperately trying to cross because they’ve got nothing left to 
lose," Jemmah told the Associated Press late Saturday after a group of 
50 sub-Saharan migrants fought with Moroccan police protecting the 
breached fence.






http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100008_25/11/2008_102451

Extremists hijack protest over migrants
A demonstration yesterday in Aghios Panteleimonas, near central Athens, 
by residents objecting to the large increase in the local immigrant 
population, was hijacked by far-right protesters and anarchists who 
clashed with each other for several hours.
Members of the far-right and anti-establishment groups pelted each other 
with stones and vandalized local store facades and parked cars, as 
locals tried to voice their grievances. There were no reports of 
injuries or arrests.
According to witnesses, half the protesters were calling for the 
neighborhood to be “protected” from an influx of migrants while the 
others appealed for migrants to be given greater social support.
Most residents expressed sympathy for migrants’ problems but said the 
situation had reached a crisis point. “There are many migrants here who 
need help and though we give them food and clothes we cannot solve their 
problem,” local cleric Prokopios told Kathimerini.
Other residents said the state should receive more European Union 
support for dealing with immigrants. “The EU has earmarked a lot of 
funding in support of migrants – where does all this money go?” said 
Eleni Papayiannaki, a local resident and store owner.








http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=610441

Muslims protest at extremism initiative
Posted: 2008/11/01
From: Source


A crisis group has been set up with the support of more than 1,000 
Muslims in Reading who object to the local steps being taken under the 
Government`s Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) strategy launched this year.

by Chine Mbubaegbu
(Get Reading)

A group of Muslims in Reading feel victimised by a Government initiative 
designed to tackle violent extremism and feel it could cause more harm 
than good.

A crisis group has been set up with the support of more than 1,000 
Muslims in Reading who object to the local steps being taken under the 
Government’s Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) strategy launched this year.

Reading Borough Council was picked as a pilot area for the Department 
for Communities and local Government’s counter-terrorism strategy which 
aims to challenge violent extremist ideology, support vulnerable 
individuals being targeted and recruited to extreme causes and increase 
the resilience of the community towards violent extremism.

As part of the scheme, £10,000 was awarded to the Reading Forum Against 
Extremism and another £80,000 to establish the Berkshire Forum Against 
Extremism.

But Reading Muslim Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) Crisis Group said 
since it started, Muslim groups in the town have become disillusioned 
with the project which started off as a collaborative effort between 
organisations and community groups in Reading.

The Reading Muslim PVE Crisis Group particularly objects to the 
council’s adoption of the National Indicator NI35 – a controversial 
framework which singles out the Muslim community as the main group to 
look out for in building communities resilient to violent extremism.

It is also concerned about a new PVE toolkit which will be provided to 
school teachers to look out for signs of “radicalisation” in pupils – a 
move which the group labels “absurd and disturbing”. Members are also 
concerned about the possible appointment of special PVE officers at 
Thames Valley Police.

A statement from the group to Michael Coughlin, chief executive of 
Reading Borough Council, and Superintendent Steve Kirk said: “The PVE 
work relies on a number of volatile terms such as ‘extremism’, ‘violent 
extremism’ and ‘radicalisation’.

“These terms are undefined but have been used by members of the 
Government to demonise the Muslim community by equating Islamic values 
such as the desire for Muslim unity and adherence to Sharia law with 
‘extremism’ or ‘violent extremism’.

“Communities don’t commit crimes, individuals do.

“However, the Government narrative on the causes of the cycle of 
violence we see occurring in the context of PVE blames an ‘ideology’ as 
the overriding cause for people’s radicalisation.

“This is in stark contrast to the way that the political troubles in 
Northern Ireland, South Africa and Sri Lanka was identified.

“This narrative firmly puts the blame for the cycle of violence at the 
door of Islam and the Muslim community.”

In April, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced 300 PVE police officers 
in forces – including Thames Valley – would be appointed to monitor 
areas of potential radicalisation in Muslim communities and get engaged 
with the communities themselves in order to prevent extremism.

But the crisis group feels these officers are not needed in Reading as 
the town does not suffer from significant violent extremism.

Speaking to the Evening Post, a spokesman for the crisis group, said: 
“We hope that there can be face to face dialogue with the council and 
the police where we can address our concerns.”

For more information, visit pvecrisisgroup.wordpress.com.

Police and council give their response

Representatives from the Pakistan Community Centre, South Street Mosque, 
Central Jamme Mosque and Reading Council for Racial Equality were at a 
meeting on Wednesday with the council where they discussed the crisis group.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Community Centre said the centre had not 
signed up to it.

A statement in response to the PVE group from the council and police 
said: “Over the years Reading has enjoyed excellent community relations 
and it has already undertaken good work around PVE, including project 
ambassadors, consultation, awareness raising and awareness events, which 
have all been widely recognised as good practice.

“It should be noted however that Thames Valley Police and Reading 
Borough Council did not apply for PVE funding.

“This money is allocated by the Government, as part of the national 
Prevent Strategy, according to a set criteria, namely any town with a 
Muslim population of more than 4,000. Reading falls in this category.

“In Reading’s Local Area Agreement with the Local Strategic Partnership 
and councils, the Government pushed ahead for NI35 including in areas 
where money had been allocated.

“The focus of the PVE work is to continue to ensure our young people are 
not subjected to any form of radicalisation and we are working with all 
members of our community to challenge all forms of violent extremism.

“We are required to produce an action plan setting out what we intend to 
do and a draft has been prepared by a small cross-community working 
group for consideration by the Ethnic Minorities Forum.

“This is an emerging piece of work in progress, which will be open to 
consultation. Consideration is also being given on how best to manage 
and co-ordinate projects of this kind.

“A draft ‘Governance’ strategy is also to be considered by the Ethnic 
Minorities Forum. The Ethnic Minorities Forum will lead with 
consultation and engagement and inform the community about decisions and 
actions that are taken around PVE.

“It is essential that the members of the community engage with the 
process as this is an excellent opportunity to use Government funding to 
promote and support community projects in Reading and build on the 
trust, understanding and tolerance that already exists.”

Prominent representatives of groups in the town including the Reading 
Council for Racial Equality, the Pakistan Community Association, the 
South Street Mosque, the Central Jamme Mosque and the Bangladesh 
Association Greater Reading met with the council and the police on 
Wednesday to express their concerns about the crisis group.

A statement on behalf of the community leaders issued by the RCRE said: 
“We do not recognise the Reading PVE Crisis Group and condemn the way in 
which they have used the names of legitimate local Muslim organisations 
in order to justify their own political views.

“The contents of the letter issued by the group do not carry the 
endorsement of many of the organisations listed [on their website].

“While we believe that more information is needed about the PVE work, we 
do not believe that it is in crisis and we welcome the opportunity to 
engage with the planning in the coming weeks.

“Violent extremism can happen in a variety of forms including the rise 
in tension that we have seen in recent years against Muslims.

“We condemn all forms of violent extremism and will support work to 
promote respect, understanding and cooperation between all communities.

"At the same time, and within these boundaries of respect, we support 
the freedom of belief and expression.” #






http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2008/nov/15/jih_lead_nationwide_protest_against_illegal_detention_muslim_youths.html

JIH to lead nationwide protest against illegal detention of Muslim youths
Submitted by Mudassir Rizwan on Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:12.
By Tarique Anwar, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has decided to take two All India 
Caravans- Caravan for Peace and Justice- in the wake of unprecedented 
havoc created in the country in the name of terrorism and communalism.
Addressing a press conference held on 14th November in Anjuman Taraqui 
Urdu Bihar, Patna, Mujtaba Farooque, National Convenor & Secretary JIH, 
said that Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is highly concerned that communal 
conflicts are once more becoming a routine in the country. Innocent men 
and women are being brutally killed. The result is that society is again 
divided. Unfortunately India has become haven for all kinds of 
terrorism. "We are witnessing terrorist activities in the name of 
separation in North-East and Kashmir, mindless bombings and explosions 
in trains and public places, genocides and state supported carnages, 
brutal police firings, encounters, tortures and custodial deaths etc." 
said Farooque.
He further said that Jamaat-e-Islami believes that the system is to be 
blamed that fails to provide justice and equality. We have failed to 
inculcate the noble values of love, mutual respect, honesty, patience, 
sacrifice and fraternity in our men, women and young generations. The 
politicians and law enforcing authorities are equally responsible for 
aggravating the situation. Minutes after the blasts, the police comes 
out with a standard preconceived statement blaming the 'foreign hands' 
and Muslim-sounding organizations. Later they start arresting Muslim 
boys and creating terror in Muslim localities. On the other side, 
despite clear leads against the extremist right wing groups, either 
action is not taken at all or it is taken half heartedly. Different 
yardsticks are used to treat different accused based on their community 
and political affiliations, he added.
Highlighting the demands of these caravans he said:
"All riots and terrorist attacks of the last decade should be probed 
into by an independent high powered commission to identify the actual 
culprits and the report of this enquiry should be made public.
Reforms should be initiated in the police and law enforcement machinery 
and the recommendations of National Police Commission should be 
immediately implemented. At least 25% police personnel at all levels 
should belong to minority communities, he added.
Effective legal mechanism should be evolved to check police atrocities, 
illegal detentions, fake encounters, tortures, custodial deaths and 
fabricated accusations.
Harassment of relatives and well wishers of the detainees should be 
stopped and a whole locality should not be targeted or victimized.
Confidential reports and confessions extracted under duress must not be 
leaked to the media. Effective regulations and legal mechanism should be 
enacted to ensure fair and unbiased reporting in media.
All efforts for undemocratic and unjust legislation should be stopped 
and all those laws in states should be cancelled wherein confessions in 
police custody is made admissible in courts or that allow police to keep 
persons arrested without filing charge sheets.
Measures should be adopted to promote human values, respect for human 
life, tolerance and co-operation so that we can build a hatred free and 
peaceful India. Jamat-e-Islami Hind requests all those concerned about 
the country to come forward and co operate with the caravan."
When asked about the aim of these caravans he said JIH wants to interact 
directly with those people, agencies who are misleading the people for 
their vested interest. He said that JIH is going to lead a nationwide 
protest against illegal detention of Muslim youths. Responding another 
question that how JIH will ensure to check these atrocities on Muslims 
youths especially young professionals, he added: "We will use people 
intervention, legal process and will work with all secular organisations".
Why UPA government is escaping from Batla House case, he questioned. 
Giving his comment on a question posed by a media person he said that 
our Home Minister is one of the part Fascist forces.
Farooque clearly gave the sign of formation of a third front. He said 
that we have tested BJP and UPA both but this year all Muslim 
organizations which have jointly formed coordination committee will 
support a third front. When hidden agenda of Congress came in light it 
has started to open some old files like Malegaon to gain Muslim sympathy 
and their vote banks in coming election he said.
Giving details about the caravan in Bihar, Maulana Quamarul Hoda, 
Amir-e-Halqua, JIH, Bihar, said that the it will start from Katihar, 
Purnia, Araria, Forbesganj, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur.
In response to a question by TwoCircles.net, Dr Suresh Khairnar, 
President, All India Secular Forum, Maharashtra, attacked Modi and 
Advani saying that they have no moral right to talk about nation. He 
said that the government is targeting innocent Muslim youths specially 
those who are well settled and skillful professionals only with this aim 
to attack on improving economical and educational status of Muslims. All 
the boys arrested or encountered are innocents, he added.
Answering a question regarding plantation of bomb on trees in Gujarat he 
said that that was part of deep conspiracy. All the bombs were planted 
on the directions of the Chief Minister Narendra Modi only to tarnish 
the image of Muslim community and to arrest Muslim youths on the name of 
terrorism. Why the whole media and investigative agencies are keeping 
mum when whole system Army, Intelligence Bureau, CBI and different Hindu 
saints have come under scanner, said Khairnar.
The caravans have started from 10th November and will end on 26th 
November. These caravans will be laid by Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Ansar 
Umari, All India President, JIH, and Mohammed Jafar, Deputy President, 
JIH respectively. Both caravans have been flagged off in a public 
programme held in New Delhi on 10th November. The first caravan passed 
through Lucknow (Nov 10,11), Azamgarh (Nov 13), Patna (Nov 14), and will 
pass through Guwahati (Nov 16), Kolkata (Nov 17,18), Asansol (Nov 19), 
Bangalore (Nov 21-23), Mangalore (Nov 24), Ernakulam (Nov 25) and the 
second caravan has passed through Jabalpur (Nov 11,12), Nagpur (Nov 13), 
Bhopal (Nov 14) and will pass through Indore (Nov 15), Mumbai (Nov 
16-18), Ahmedabad (Nov 19,20), Baroda (Nov 21), Kota (Nov 22) and Jaipur 
(Nov 23,24).





http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/11/12/parvez-magazine.html?ref=rss

Muslim, women's groups protest article on 'honour killing' of T.O. girl
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 | 4:08 PM ET 
Comments166Recommend92
CBC News
A coalition of Muslim, immigrant and feminist groups gathered in Toronto 
Tuesday to express their unhappiness over a magazine article about the 
killing of Aqsa Parvez.
The story by Mary Rogan in Toronto Life's December issue gives an 
account of Parvez's final months, suggesting that she was killed because 
she wasn't adhering strictly enough to her family's view of how a Muslim 
woman should dress.
Her father and brother have been charged in connection with the death of 
the 16-year-old.
The group protesting the article particularly objects to the headline on 
the article, which describes Parvez's death as Toronto's first "honour 
killing."
The Toronto Life article "serves to fuel myths and stereotypes that harm 
Muslim women and their communities and that distract from the real 
issues of gender-based violence against women," said Cindy McCowan, 
executive director of Interim Place, one of the organizations protesting 
the story.
"Violence against women is about the systematic power and control by 
men, and the assertion that Miss Parvez's murder was because she was 
Muslim or due to Islam is based in both racism and Islamophobia. 
Violence against women is not a value in any culture or faith 
community," she said.
Summaya Kassamali said the way the article is written equates Islam with 
domestic violence.
"It sort of implies that anyone who grows up Muslim — and they are 
taught there are certain things God wants, or there are certain 
requirements — is automatically subject to violence," she told CBC News.
Protests anticipated, editor says
Toronto Life editor Sarah Fulford says the negative response to Rogan's 
article is not unexpected.
"I'm not surprised at all. It's a very emotional story," she told CBC 
News. But she said many readers have expressed admiration for the moving 
descriptions of the final months of Parvez's life.
"As Mary Rogan so beautifully illustrated, Aqsa Parvez was caught 
between the Old World and the New World in a struggle that was familial 
and domestic and it … is resonating with many of our readers," Fulford said.
"In some ways, it's a common immigrant experience. Parents have a 
certain vision for their child that conforms to Old World ways and the 
child, in this case Aqsa Parvez, was curious about the New World and 
being a teenager, she wanted to have a boyfriend, she wanted to go to a 
mall, she wanted to wear her hair uncovered."
Fulford said the magazine was aware that describing the death as an 
honour killing would be controversial.
But she points out that Parvez herself is not here to tell us whether 
her death was an honour killing or a domestic dispute gone too far. The 
girl's final months, as described by her two best friends, were quite 
frightening, Fulford said.
"I don't know whether she would say this is a domestic violence issue or 
a question of strict religious parenting — I don't know exactly what 
she'd call it, she was murdered, so we can't ask her," she said.
Rogan denies accusations that her story is racist, Islamophobic or 
stereotypical.
"The suggestion that to focus on the hijab somehow detracts from the 
issue of violence against women is absolutely incorrect," she said.
Rogan said she hopes to participate in Facebook discussions on the issue.
The story "Girl, Interrupted" is part of a theme issue of Toronto Life 
that deals with the immigrant experience.







http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=157605

Alevi groups plan rallies to protest rights violations

Turkey’s Alevi community, a religious group that differs from Sunni 
Islam, is making preparations for a mass protest in the Turkish capital 
on Nov. 9 in an effort to highlight the long-standing Alevi issue.

Several Alevi associations and hundreds of activists are planning to 
meet at a “Grand Alevi Rally” scheduled for Nov. 7-8 in various cities 
across Turkey, which will be followed by a mass protest in Ankara on Nov. 9.
The protests are an effort to push the government to grant Alevis the 
rights they’ve been deprived of for years, according to a statement sent 
to Sunday’s Zaman by the Ankara-based Alevi Bektaşi Federation (ABF), 
which represents dozens of Alevi associations. Turkey’s Alevi community 
hopes to remind the public of problems they face and call on political 
parties and groups to keep their pledges to find a solution to the 
country’s decades-old Alevi question.
“At these events, we will give voice to our demand to be treated as 
equal citizens of this country with Sunnis. We will call on the 
government to eliminate all sorts of discrimination against Alevis,” 
stated Mehmet Yenice, secretary-general of the Hacı Bektaş Culture 
Association. Turkey’s Alevis, thought to number between 6 million and 12 
million, claim they face widespread prejudice and that the state refuses 
to grant them their religious and cultural rights.
Yenice listed demands to be voiced during the mass protest: making 
state-run religious classes noncompulsory, abolishing the Religious 
Affairs Directorate and recognizing cemevis, or Alevi houses of worship, 
by the state. The ABF statement said they want full implementation of 
the principle of “equal citizenship” so that all citizens can enjoy 
their fundamental rights and freedoms without being subjected to 
discrimination regardless of their religion, origin, language, race and 
gender. “We should get rid of the widespread conviction that freedom of 
belief rests on headscarf freedom. What we expect from politicians and 
civilians is to recognize Alevis as fundamental elements of society and 
respect their rights and beliefs,” said Fevzi Gümüş, head of the Pir 
Sultan Abdal Association, one of the leading Alevi groups in Turkey.
He said political circles have so far failed to find a solution to the 
Alevi problem; instead, he said, they attempt to make Alevis look like 
themselves instead of accepting them as they are. “When politicians set 
off under promising initiatives to solve the Alevi question, what they 
did was to turn Alevis into people obedient to their political and 
religious tendencies instead of taking Alevis as real addressees,” he 
said. “They wanted to assimilate Alevis.” Gümüş criticized the failure 
of the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to keep its 
pledge to introduce a solution to problems faced by the Alevi community.
“There is serious divergence of opinion and blood incompatibility 
between Alevis and the AK Party,” he said. “We witnessed that the AK 
Party-sponsored Alevi iftar couldn’t serve as a launch pad to produce a 
solution to our problems.”
Reha Çamuroğlu, an AK Party deputy of Alevi origin, spearheaded his 
party’s efforts in early January to reconcile long-standing animosities 
between the state and Turkey’s Alevi citizens. A fast-breaking dinner 
was held on Jan. 11 in honor of Alevis’ sacred month of Muharram with 
the participation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The move was 
considered a historic event to thaw the ice between the state and 
Alevis. The iftar had flourished hope among Alevis that the state would 
finally lend an ear to their demands and spur into action to legally 
recognize cemevis, make compulsory religion courses voluntary and stop 
recording individuals’ religion on identification cards.
“As problems faced by Alevis keep growing, the policy pursued by the AK 
Party toward these citizens is limited to constructing mosques to their 
villages, turning a blind eye to the cemevi fact and forcing Alevi 
children to attend compulsory religion courses,” Gümüş said. The Council 
of State ruled in early March that students should not be required to 
attend religion courses that focused solely on Sunni Islam. The Ministry 
of Education made slight changes in the curriculum offered to primary 
school students and added a few pages of information on Alevism in 
religion books.
The move, however, didn’t please Alevis, who claim forcing children to 
attend compulsory religion courses violates individuals rights and 
freedoms and say these courses should be abolished. The directorate of 
religious affairs, on the other hand, doesn’t agree and says courses on 
religion should be compulsory and raising children who have no knowledge 
of religion will lead to serious problems.
Hacı Bektaş Culture Association’s Yenice said another point that 
disturbs Turkey’s Alevi community is that the Madımak Hotel in Sivas -- 
where several Alevi intellectuals were killed in flames -- is still 
operating as an hotel. “We want the Madımak Hotel to be turned into a 
museum in respect of our intellectuals killed by religious 
fundamentalists,” he said.
During the Alevi Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural and Literary Festival in July 
1993, many participants who were staying at the Madımak Hotel in 
downtown Sivas found themselves besieged by an angry mob. The guests 
took refuge in the hotel, and the rioting crowd set surrounding cars and 
the venue ablaze. When the fire was finally extinguished, 37 people were 
found dead, including two members of the mob and two hotel workers. 
Fifteen years later, the Madımak Hotel is still operating as a hotel, a 
part of which serves as a kebab house.

02 November 2008, Sunday







http://archive.gulfnews.com/world/Turkey/10258453.html

Turkish Muslim sect protests 'discrimination'
Reuters
Published: November 09, 2008, 23:02
Ankara: More than 25,000 Turkish members of a liberal Muslim sect 
marched in Ankara on Monday in their first big demonstration against 
what they say is discrimination by the government and compulsory 
religious classes.
An estimated 15 to 25 million people in Turkey share the Alevi faith, 
usually keeping a low profile in a country where the majority practice 
Orthodox Sunni Islam.
Demonstrators chanted slogans against the ruling AK Party, which has 
roots in political Islam. The AK Party has publicly defended the rights 
of Muslims in officially secular Turkey.
"The AK Party ignores the rights of 20 million Alevis in this country. 
This shows that they are not honest with their talk of religious 
freedoms," said Sulaiman Erseven, a 48-year old demonstrator.

Many Alevis tend to support secularist parties because they fear 
Islamists will put further restrictions on their faith.
When the AK party attempted to change the constitution to overturn a ban 
on female students wearing headscarves at universities, party leaders 
said they were aiming to expand individual religious freedoms.
Many Alevis say the AK Party strives to expand freedoms for Sunni 
Muslims, while ignoring the demands of Alevis.
1980 coup
Alevis say compulsory religious classes teach Sunni Islam and are part 
of forced assimilation of Alevi children. Despite court victories for 
the Alevis, the government has taken them to appeal, citing its own 
limited power.
Religious classes were introduced in the Turkish constitution after the 
military coup in 1980 to support the government's tight control over 
religious activities.
Some protesters called for abolishing the Religious Affairs Directorate, 
which they say is defending Sunni Islam.

The directorate tightly regulates Turkey's thousands of mosques, 
appoints imams, pays their salaries and approve sermons for Friday prayers.
Alevi representatives also said the government should stop building 
mosques in Alevi villages. Most Alevis do not attend mosques but prefer 
gathering in houses of prayer, called Cemevi, where women and men pray 
together.
"The constitution's principle of equality is violated by rejection of 
the Alevis' creed and their centres of worship," said Ali Yildirim, 
deputy chairman of Huseyin Gazi Association.







http://no-racism.net/article/2751/

13. Dec 2008 ]
The Chania hunger strikers have been granted residence permits!

This victory is only a new beginning for the struggle that never ceased! 
Read about the events on what seems to be the final day of the hunger 
strike ...

On Friday, the 5th of December 2008, or the 25th day of the hunger 
strike, the Ministry of Interior Affairs promised that the hunger 
strikers be granted residence permits on "exceptional grounds".

The migrants are still on hunger strike, until this is officially 
confirmed. For the ministry's masterminds, this might be a maneuver to 
avoid the pressure the strike stood for; for us, it is a great victory 
of the strikers' determination and the solidarity movement's efforts.

The strikers did not fight for their cases only, but for everyone in 
their condition. A change in the law was not achieved, yet their 
decision is a sober one and one that should be respected: a very strong 
message of courageous struggle has been sent and now it is up to 
migrants and non-migrants, in Greece as in everywhere, to keep the flame 
alive - as with every flame set up against Fortress Europe across 
countries and borders...

...the course of the hunge strike...

Since 11 November migrants in Chania, Crete, Greece, active members of 
the Crete Forum of Migrants, had been on hunger strike, demanding the 
legal status they are eligible for, fighting for dignity and equal 
rights, for them and their families, for all migrants within Fortress 
Europe. 10 Hunger Strikers had been in hospital since the 29th of 
November... They continued the hunger strike from the hospital wards...

You can read more about this in :: clandestinenglish.wordpress.com







http://www.workers.org/2008/us/san_francisco_1106/

San Francisco protests immigrant raids
Published Oct 31, 2008 8:41 PM
Protesting flagrant violations of immigrant worker rights, several 
hundred people organized by May 1st San Francisco, Movement for 
Unconditional Amnesty and Latin American Alliance for Immigrant Rights 
noisily demonstrated during the evening rush hour at the local office of 
the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in downtown San Francisco on 
Oct. 23.
The previous day, about two dozen homes were raided throughout the San 
Francisco Bay Area, including the Mission, Tenderloin and Bayview 
districts within the city of San Francisco, in South San Francisco and 
in the East Bay city of Richmond.
Despite the status of San Francisco as a “sanctuary city” for immigrants 
without documentation, San Francisco police assisted federal immigration 
agents in the arrests of several people. Claiming the raids were 
necessary to apprehend members of the Latin@ “MS-13” street gang, 
authorities said they were part of ICE’s “Operation Community Shield.” 
In Richmond the SWAT team was used.
However, family and friends of the still-detained immigrant workers told 
the assembled crowd and media that their arrested loved ones were 
absolutely not involved in gang activity. Organizers of the emergency 
protest said this harassment and persecution of undocumented workers 
will not happen without a response.
Cindy Sheehan, candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives 
Nancy Pelosi’s seat in the U.S. Congress, added her support for the full 
citizenship of all people working in California. Already planned is 
another immigrant rights demonstration in San Francisco on Oct. 27, part 
of a National Day of Action against racial profiling in Arizona.
—Joan Marquardt
________________________________________
Articles copyright 1995-2009 Workers World. Verbatim copying and 
distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without 
royalty provided this notice is preserved.






http://www.projo.com/news/content/POLICE_PROTEST_11-20-08_LUCBH6E_v22.3904aff.html

Protest supports minority groups
01:00 AM EST on Thursday, November 20, 2008
By RANDAL EDGAR

Journal Staff Writer
CRANSTON — Carrying signs that read “We are all human” and “No one is 
illegal,” about 40 community activists and students gathered in the cold 
yesterday evening to chant, cheer and draw attention to the plight of 
some of their friends.
They also came with a demand: that racial profiling and immigration 
enforcement by local and state police officers end.
“Our brothers and sisters are being targeted and chased around,” said 
Mary Kay Harris, of Direct Action for Rights and Equality, a 
Providence-based advocacy group for low-income families of color. “We’re 
saying that has to stop.”
Organizers said the gathering was a direct response to “a rash of 
incidents” in which Latinos and other minority group members have been 
stopped “with little or no justification” or tricked into going to 
immigration authorities so they can be deported.
The protest was held at the edge of the grounds of the Cranston Police 
Department, on Garfield Avenue, but organizers said the protest was not 
specifically directed at that force.
Besides contending that local and state police were acting like “federal 
immigration agents,” they criticized Governor Carcieri for signing an 
executive order in March that directed the state police and state 
correctional officers to work with federal authorities to enforce some 
aspects of immigration law.
“With that stroke of his pen” the governor added to the problem of 
racial profiling, said Harris, one of four speakers.
In a news release announcing the gathering, organizers said people have 
been incarcerated for days and even weeks simply for having expired 
licenses and have faced deportation proceedings because of misdemeanor 
charges such as driving without a license.
Harris said she was in a van with a group of people, including several 
minorities, that was stopped for no reason on Route 95 by the state police.
“It must have been very disappointing” that the van contained “no 
undocumented immigrants but rather a group of people of color attending 
a conference,” she said.
Racial profiling has been a hot-button issue for years. Studies began to 
suggest eight years ago that race affects which cars are stopped and 
searched in Rhode Island, and civil rights groups have said they want 
legislation to restrict some police practices and identify which 
officers are inappropriately stopping people. Police chiefs have replied 
that they don’t tolerate discriminatory enforcement and are working to 
better train their officers to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Yesterday’s gathering lasted about an hour and drew occasional honks 
from passing drivers who saw signs along both sides of the road.
Shannah Kurland, a member of the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, 
read aloud the names of people who have been detained and urged people 
who are citizens to pull over if they see someone being stopped or 
searched by the police and “see if they are OK.”
The gathering also drew several Brown University students, representing 
groups such as Third World Action and Students for a Democratic Society. 
Lindsey Gaydos, a senior majoring in developmental studies, said she and 
other students know people who have been affected by the current 
policies and wanted to voice their concern.
Kurland and Harris said there will be more gatherings — as many as are 
needed.
“Many of us have gathered before and we will continue to gather,” Harris 
said. “We don’t care if it’s raining or snowing.”






http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1225910077021

Nov 9, 2008 22:10 | Updated Nov 9, 2008 22:20
8 Ethiopians arrested at violent Beit Alfa protest
By ABE SELIG

An entrance to the Prime Minister's Office looked more like a refugee 
camp on Sunday afternoon as a protest by nearly 150 new Ethiopian 
immigrants over "sub-standard" conditions at the Beit Alfa immigrant 
absorption center turned violent.

An Ethiopian new in immigrant tries to prevent the arrest of her husband 
during a demonstration.
Photo: Ariel Jerozolimksi
SLIDESHOW: Israel & Region | World
Crying children, men on crutches, and scattered personal possessions 
covered the blockaded entrance - behind the Bank of Israel headquarters 
- as the protesters, who have been there since Tuesday, have said that 
they refuse to leave the premises until solutions are found to their 
problems.
On Sunday, patience wore thin as protesters attempted to break into the 
PMO compound, and police detained eight of them for questioning.
While police said they had no choice but to prevent the protesters from 
entering the area, some of the immigrants alleged that police had used 
unnecessary force.
"They were beating people up," one of the protesters said. "They came in 
and started hitting people, I saw them grabbing a man by the throat."
The Jerusalem Police denied the allegation, saying, "The immigrants' 
protest is illegal to begin with. They attempted, multiple times, to 
break into the compound and the police obviously had no choice but to 
respond and keep them from getting inside."
While some of the protesters were dispersed during the melee, the 
majority of them said they have no choice but to continue with their 
protest, as no one in the government is willing to address their 
problems - the list of which runs the gamut from overdue allowances 
promised to the immigrants to a lack of work in the area around the 
absorption center, located on Kibbutz Beit Alfa, outside Beit Shean.
Some of the protesters also complained that their children were being 
bused all the way to Tiberias every day, just to attend school.
"My kids spend more time on the school bus than in the classroom," said 
protester Desta Alameou. "What kind of education are they getting? What 
are their chances for success here if this is the way they begin their 
education?"
The protest first began in October, two days before Yom Kippur, when the 
immigrants alleged that they were not receiving their immigration 
benefits, and arrived at the PMO compound to protest.
According to a spokesman for the Immigrant Absorption Ministry at the 
time, the residents of Beit Alfa, stopped receiving their benefits after 
their first year in Israel and the National Insurance Institute only 
picked up the responsibility at the end of the 13th month.
The spokesman also said the NII had taken into consideration the 
two-month gap by handing out part of the benefit payment earlier this 
month, but that, "It was obviously not enough for them to live off."
That protest did conclude, however, when the Jewish Agency and the 
Absorption Ministry agreed, just before the holiday began, to pay the 
immigrants their overdue benefits and set up an independent review 
committee to examine the living conditions at Beit Alfa.
And although that committee is due to file its findings within the next 
10 days, protesters said they could wait no longer.
"There's a lot of voices here saying they want to pack up and go back to 
Ethiopia," said an Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews member who was 
on the scene. "But it could all be solved if they were moved to a 
different absorption center - that's the main problem."
In a statement, the Jewish Agency and the Absorption Ministry said that 
they "protest the immigrants' violation of the agreement reached before 
Yom Kippur, according to which a committee will find better ways for the 
Beit Alfa absorption center to help the immigrants' integration. Both 
the Jewish Agency and the Absorption Ministry are committed to act 
according to the findings."
According to Absorption Ministry Director-General Erez Halfon and Eli 
Cohen of the Jewish Agency, the majority of the immigrants' complaints 
can be easily resolved. Both said that the demonstration, so close to 
the committee's deadline, was unnecessary.
Ruth Eglash contributed to this report.





http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-11/2008-11-21-voa56.cfm?CFID=149266884&CFTOKEN=21847227&jsessionid=8430d6c1a8dc92554e5a4d6742711d4c4169

Protesters Gather in London to Stop Expulsion of DRC Refugees
By Mandy Clark
London
21 November 2008
About 100 protesters gathered in London on Friday to call on the British 
government to stop the expulsion of Congolese refugees back to the 
Democratic Republic of Congo. Britain's High Court judges are set to 
decide the fate of thousands of asylum-seekers living in the UK as they 
consider whether the war-torn DRC is safe. VOA's Mandy Clark reports 
from London.

A demonstrator carries a flower tribute during a silent walk in London, 
21 Nov 2008
A silent, shuffling protest - 100 people dressed in black, like a 
funeral procession, mourning the millions who have died in the fighting 
in the DRC. They walked towards 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon 
Brown's official residence, to hand deliver a petition.

Nelson Muambela said 4,000 people have already signed it.
"The petition is to ask Gordon Brown and the British government to be 
more involved, to put more pressure on the Congolese government, to do 
more for the peace," he said.

Buka Mwanza, who helped organize the protest, said he cannot understand 
why Britain would even consider sending Congolese refugees back to a war 
zone.

"How can you return them to a country that is at war, and look what is 
happening there?" Mwanza asked. "I mean some health organizations have 
estimated that 75 percent of the rapes that happen in the world, happen 
in Congo. There is atrocious human rights violations happening there, 
and you plan on sending someone back to that? It's preposterous."

It's estimated there are 4,000 to 5,000 Congolese in Britain whose 
asylum claims have been rejected.

Eastern Congo has been in turmoil since the genocide in neighboring 
Rwanda in 1994 spilled over into Congo. Unrest then spread into civil 
war in Congo with a number of armed groups vying for power and drawing 
in neighboring countries. That war ended in 2003, but tensions among 
some armed groups remain and fighting has again flared in recent weeks.

Britain's Foreign office is currently advising against all travel to 
eastern and northeastern Congo and all but essential trips to the rest 
of the country, because of "continued insecurity and lawlessness".

Yet, the Home Office said there is "no real risk of ill treatment" to 
failed asylum-seekers outside the eastern region.

Innocent Empi disagreed. He is a Congolese refugee who came to Britain 
in 2005. He helped compile evidence for lawyers representing the 
refugees. "We have evidence of failed asylum seekers who were sent back 
to the Congo and who have been arrested, detained and many of them have 
disappeared," he said.

The High Court is expected to make its decision in the next 3 to 4 
weeks. Innocent Empi said he has hope. "I personally am hopeful because 
I trust the evidence provided. It would be unbelievable for the court to 
say it is safe to Congolese back to Kinshasa," he said.

The other protesters say that even refugee status would not be enough. 
Britain, they say, must step up its commitment to the Congo.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/11/413014.html

Dual Anti-Racism Demonstrations In Glasgow
Ethel MacDee | 15.11.2008 20:05 | Anti-racism
The nearest tube station is Cessnock tube. Turn right out of the tube 
station, past the shops and right onto Elizabeth Street which will take 
you past the Unity Centre and on to Brand Street.

Also join us on the Anti Racism and Anti Fascism march on Saturday the 
29th. We will be meeting at ten a.m. at St Andrews in the Square just 
off the Saltmarket. Look out for the black and red flags!
Glasgow Anarchists call on all to attend twin demonstrations in Glasgow.

* Tuesday 25th November - Defy the introduction of ID Cards, outside 
Brand Street Immigration Centre at 12:00 noon.
* Saturday 29th November - Anti-Rascism and Fascism Demo, St Andrew off 
the Square 10:00a.m.

Join us on the 25th of November in demonstration against the 
implementation of ID cards. We will gather outside the Home Office @ 
Festival Court, Brand Street, Ibrox from midday on the 25th.

On the 25th of November the state continues with it’s creeping 
implementation of the ever unpopular ID cards scheme. Having already 
snuck it in the back door for asylum seekers, pensioners and the 
disabled they now plan to roll it out to include non-EU students and 
workers.
The state knows full well how unpopular this scheme is and this is why 
it is pandering to racist attitudes, fostered by the media, in 
introducing these cards first for foreign nationals and those who do not 
have a voice to speak out.
They tried to claim that ID cards would stop terrorism, despite the fact 
that all terrorist attacks carried out in the UK have been perpetrated 
by people who would have carried an ID card anyway.
Now they claim it will help stop benefit “fraud”, despite costing far 
more than benefit “fraud” will ever cost.
Added to this they pander to the racism of papers like the Daily Mail by 
extolling how it will stop ‘illegal’ immigration. Here it is we come to 
the racist core of the scheme. The scheme seeks to further fragment 
society by widening the divide between the sans papier underclass of 
this country and the rest of the working class. By restricting and 
regulating access to basic provisions such as health care they create a 
class of people even more at the mercy of their employers.
‘Illegal’ workers in this country work for a pittance and are always at 
the mercy of their employer. Should they complain about their conditions 
then a quick phone call to the Immigration department and the worker is 
dealt with. Even the threat of this is enough to stop any dissent. 
Whilst legislation has been passed to allow for sanctioning of employers 
using illegal labour this rarely happens and it is the worker who is 
punished.
Resisting the introduction of these cards is an act of self defence as 
well as one of class solidarity. These cards will be being introduced 
for British nationals from next year. As of 2009 workers in ’sensitive’ 
areas such as airports and hospitals will be forced to carry one, 
something the pilots union is up in arms about. From 2010 any student 
who wants to receive a student loan will be forced to have one and soon 
after that anyone wanting to access health care, state benefits or other 
provisions will be forced to get one. Yet we are told it will be 
voluntary. Hah!
It is not just the Labour government that are desperate to see this 
scheme implemented but it is the state as an apparatus. Successive 
governments have tried, and previously failed, to implement an national 
ID card for at least 50 years, ever since the end of the ID and ration 
book scheme after WWII. Why is this? Why are they so determined to push 
through when we know that it will not affect any of the ‘problems’ they 
claim it is to address?
To put it simply it is to further reinforce the psychological sensation 
of being watched over. As with CCTV cameras it is a move towards a 
panopticon society where our every move is monitored so that we daren’t 
step out of line.
The concept of a panopticon society comes from the prison designs of 
Jeremy Bantham. Bantham designed a prison in which the prisoners could 
be observed at all times but could not see those who observed them, much 
like in the prison drama Oz. The idea behind this was that as the 
prisoners could be being watched at any time they will behave as if 
under supervision at all times.
In todays society there are cameras everywhere, we are filmed hundreds 
of times every day. We never know whether or not someone is watching the 
camera yet we become used to being observed, being watched.
Similarly with ID cards. We will not know whether we will need to 
provide the card that day so we will carry it at all times just in case. 
We will also become used to providing it when asked. Have you got your 
papers madame?
We must resist this scheme as firstly it is at the moment an outright 
racist scheme that only serves to weaken the working class. We must also 
resist it because when fully implemented it will be another step towards 
the British state having a level of control over its subjects that a 
totalitarian state could only dream of.
No Pasaran! No ID!
Ethel MacDee
Homepage: http://www.glasgowanarchists.org.uk







http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080071701

JD(U) MPs resign to protest attack on north Indians
NDTV Correspondent
Friday, November 07, 2008, (New Delhi)
Five JD(U) MPs from Bihar have submitted their resignations to the Lok 
Sabha secretary general. The MPs include Prabhunath Singh, George 
Fernandes, Kailash Betha, Beena Singh and Rajiv Ranjan Lallan.

The move, seen as a bid to steal march over Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD, 
followed a day after JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar announced that the MPs 
from Bihar would resign on Friday to protest the attacks on north 
Indians in Maharashtra.

"The party MPs will submit their resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker 
Somnath Chatterjee tomorrow morning," parliamentary party leader and MP 
Prabhunath Singh told reporters on Thursday.

The resignations have come at a time when Prasad, known detractor of the 
Bihar Chief Minister, was collecting resignations from his party MPs 
from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha as also MLAs and MLCs and had announced 
to take a decision by November 15.






http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/sep/15mang.htm

Protest rally turns violent in Mangalore

Vicky Nanjappa | September 15, 2008 22:42 IST


Communal violence continued to haunt Mangalore on Monday, with fresh 
incidents of violence being reported from the coastal city.
On Sunday, right wing Hindu activists had allegedly desecrated churches 
and places of worship, claiming that Christian missionaries were 
indulging in conversions.
On Monday, members of the Christian community took out a rally to 
protest the violence.
Don't convert forcibly: Karnataka CM
The protest rally began on a peaceful note, but turned violent at the 
Holy Cross Church in Kulashekar, when a group of protestors began 
pelting stones at passers-by. In a bid to control the mob, the police 
resorted to lathi charge and also lobbed tear gas shells.
The incident turned uglier when a group of masked men desecrated a 
statue of St Antony near Bejai in Mangalore. However, Udupi and 
Chickmagalur, which had witnessed similar incidents of violence on 
Sunday, remained calm on Monday.
Church attacks: Mangalore in turmoil
Two persons were reportedly stabbed, but neither has been identified. 
While the first incident occurred in Kuloor, the second took place in 
Kodailbail.
Meanwhile, several Christian leaders met Deputy Commissioner of Police 
Hemalatha and submitted a memorandum, urging her to ensure protection of 
the community. The DCP assured them that adequate steps would be taken 
to ensure their security.





http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1205861

Relay fast to protest Orissa killings
PTI
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 20:21 IST

KOLKATA: Christians in West Bengal will organise a three-day relay fast 
to protest the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati in Orissa and 
of the 58 others who lost their lives in subsequent violence.
Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB) along with a number of secular 
organisations will organise the fast from November 14 to 16 to protest 
the killing of Saraswati in Orissa and subsequent atrocities on 
Christians in several states, Secretary of CAB Sunil Lucas said here on 
Wednesday.
After the killing of Saraswati and four of his associates, 58 people 
lost their lives, including Fr Bernanrd Digal, in mob attacks," Lucas said.
The objectives of the fast were to express solidarity with the victims 
of violence and terrorism, urge governments to protect the 
constitutional rights of citizens, elicit public support for human 
rights and reaffirm faith in peace and non-violence, he said.
He added they also protest against terrorism currently threatening the 
country's integrity and secular fabric.
The relay will begin at 9:00 a m at the Metro corridor in the Esplanade 
in the presence of Archbishop of Kolkata, Lucas Sircar.
Being organised under the aegis of the Catholic Religious of India (CRI) 
the fast would be participated by leaders from the Greek Orthodox 
Church, Armenian Church, Baptist Church and the Assembly of God Church, 
besides representatives of other major religions and nearly 40 secular 
NGOs, he said.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111354520500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Protest against communal forces
BANGALORE: Members of the Students Federation of India on Tuesday 
protested against communal and terrorist activities in the country.
President of Bangalore District SFI unit, Prasad, said the recent 
incidents have shown the real face of right wing organisations such as 
Akhil Bharathiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He 
accused the organisations of attacking churches and creating communal 
disharmony.
Vice-President Uday Kumar said right wing activists had disrupted peace 
in Gujarat and Assam and were creating a similar situation in Karnataka.
— Staff Reporter







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/03/stories/2008110350660300.htm

Monday, Nov 03, 2008

Karnataka

Karnataka - Gulbarga

Protests, boycotts mark Rajyotsava Day in Gulbarga
Special Correspondent
GULBARGA: The 53rd Rajyotsava Day was marked with protests, boycotts, 
and rail roko on one side and jubiliation on the other side in Gulbarga 
city on Sunday.
While the district administration organised a colourful celebration at 
the Nagareshwar School Ground in the Nehru Gunj area, several Kannada 
organisations held separate celebrations to mark the victory of their 
struggle for getting classical status to the Kannada language.
The day, however, was also marked by protests and boycott of the 
Rajyotsava celebrations by various organisations. The Hyderabad 
Karnataka Horata Samiti organised a rail roko agitation at the Gulbarga 
Railway Station protesting against the Centre’s indifferent attitude 
towards the long-pending demand for the amendment of Article 371 of the 
Constitution. The Hyderabad Karnataka Janapara Sangharsha Samiti and the 
Hyderabad Karnataka Yuva Horata Samiti boycotted the celebrations and 
organised protests demanding separate Statehood for the Hyderabad 
Karnataka region.
The Hyderabad Karnataka Janandolana Samiti, consisting of members from 
all the political parties, did not boycott the celebrations but formed a 
human chain at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk voicing its concern 
over the demand for a separate State.
Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti president Vaijnath Patil, zilla 
panchayat president Shailaja Reddy, vice-president Suresh R. Sajjan, and 
Hyderabad Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Umakant 
Nigudgi were among those who were arrested after squatting on the 
railway tracks preventing the movement of the Chennai-bound Madras Mail 
for more than 15 minutes. Later, the arrested leaders and workers were 
released by the Railway Police. The Hyderabad Karnataka Yuva Horata 
Samiti hoisted the Hyderabad Karnataka flag.








http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110752450400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Protest held against killing of Dalit youth
MADURAI: The Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties -- Tamil Nadu held 
a protest in front of the District Court complex here on Wednesday 
condemning the killing of a Dalit youth in police firing at E. 
Kottaipatti in Madurai district.
N. S. Nagendran, district secretary, led the protest. A. K. Ramasamy of 
the Madurai Bar Association, Chinnaraja, president, Tamil Nadu Lawyers’ 
Union, Thiruvalluvan of the Adi Thamilar Peravai and Syed Ibrahim of the 
Manitha Neethi Pasarai participated.
In a resolution, it demanded booking of cases against police personnel 
involved in the killing of K. Suresh, under Section 302 of the Indian 
Penal Code and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. A retired 
High Court Judge should be appointed to probe the police firing, the 
CPCL said. — Staff Reporter






http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/05/20081105stillprotesting1105-ON.html

Downtown Arpaio protesters undeterred by win
304 comments by JJ Hensley - Nov. 5, 2008 01:54 PM
The Arizona Republic
Maricopa County voters may have kept Sheriff Joe Arpaio in office for 
four more years, but a group of resilient protestors still want Arpaio 
out of his office space in the Wells Fargo Building.
About 10 protestors made their way to the corner of First Avenue and 
Washington Street about 11 a.m. Wednesday, undeterred by the results of 
Tuesday's election that saw Arpaio keep his office with 55 percent of 
the votes.
Arpaio took the results as a mandate from Maricopa County residents, but 
Salvador Reza, who organizes the daily protests outside the Wells Fargo 
Building said at least 45 percent of voters disagreed.
The cars that honked in support as they drove by the protestors 
indicated at least some people agree with Reza, but an 
immigration-rights activist and leader with Somos America, said his 
banner-waving bunch would have set up shop outside the Sheriff's Office 
regardless of Tuesday's results.
"This doesn't have to do with electoral politics," Reza said. "It has to 
do with human rights."
Reza noted allegations against Arpaio for racial profiling and the calls 
from politicians like Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon for a federal 
investigation into Arpaio's practices as reasons the protestors would 
continue to return for the foreseeable future- or at least until there 
are congressional hearings and a Department of Justice inquiry into the 
Sheriff's Office.
But instead of targeting county administrators or federal agencies that 
authorize Arpaio's tactics, Reza said the dissidents will keep up their 
daily vigil outside the bank building in the hopes of encouraging 
customers to boycott Wells Fargo and putting enough pressure on the 
financial institution that they remove the sheriff's offices from the 
building.
A Wells Fargo spokeswoman said the company would not comment on any of 
its clients who lease space, but added that the bank has a longstanding 
commitment to supporting the Hispanic community.
County administrators renewed the lease on Arpaio's office space in 
September.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio and dozens of his administrative staff since Oct. 1, 
1998, have been based in the 18th and 19th floors of the bank's 
building. The agency occupies 31,250 square feet of space, at $19.20 per 
square foot, or about $600,000 yearly.
An additional $12,000 is tacked on each month -- $144,000 each year -- 
for utilities, property taxes, insurance, elevator and plumbing 
maintenance, roof repairs, pest control, landscaping, cleaning costs, 
and other services.
Workers who pass through the area everyday have become oblivious to the 
honking horns and chants called out from megaphones, but Eric Long, said 
the activity borders on harassment.
"It doesn't surprise me that they're back," he said. "If their opinion 
wasn't heard loud enough in the election last night, it's obvious they 
have work to do. They have four more years to continue on their agenda."






http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081117_wz_draggingprotest.1c0b42133.html

Dragging death case triggers protest
05:22 PM CST on Monday, November 17, 2008
Associated Press

Brandon McClelland, left, was run over and dragged. Shannon Finley, 
center, and Ryan Crostley are accused.
Also Online
11/14: Prosecutors say it's not a hate crime
________________________________________
10/27: Black man's death opens old racial wounds
PARIS — Protesters galvanized by a dragging death that stirred memories 
of the notorious James Byrd case rallied outside an East Texas 
courthouse Monday to speak out against a justice system they consider 
racist.
About 60 people, led by a contingent from the New Black Panther Party, 
met at the Lamar County Courthouse to bring attention to the death of 
Brandon McClelland. Authorities have said two suspects, both of them 
white, purposely ran over and killed McClelland, a black man, following 
an argument on the way home from a late-night beer run in September.
McClelland's body was dragged about 70 feet beneath a pickup truck and 
dismembered by the trauma near Paris, a city about 95 miles northeast of 
Dallas with a history of tense relationships between blacks and whites.
The death came 10 years after Byrd was killed in Jasper, another East 
Texas town. Byrd was chained to the back of a pickup truck and dragged 
for three miles.
"How do we get justice for Brandon McClelland?" cried Anthony Bond, 
founder of the Irving chapter of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People.
"We can't get justice for Brandon," answered another man. "He's dead."
Authorities have disputed that racism was the motivation for 
McClelland's death, citing the victim's decade-long friendship with the 
two suspects. They also point out that McClelland was run over and not 
chained to the back of a truck, as Byrd was.
That stance angered McClelland's mother and activists, who pressured 
Lamar County and District Attorney Gary Young to step aside in part 
because he once was the court-appointed defense attorney for one of the 
suspects.
That suspect, Shannon Finley, was charged with murder in 2003 for the 
fatal shooting of a friend. He eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter 
with Young as his counsel. Finley served four years in prison.
In that same case, McClelland pleaded guilty to perjury for providing a 
false alibi for Finley's whereabouts on the night of the shooting. He 
was sentenced to five years' probation but served some jail time when he 
violated its terms, prosecutor Bill Harris said.
Young has recused himself from the McClelland case, citing his past 
association with Finley. A judge has appointed former Dallas County 
assistant DA Toby Shook as special prosecutor.
Sitting mostly alone away from the speakers, McClelland's mother said 
she was attending "to see that justice gets done for my son." She blamed 
Young for Finley's short sentence.
"If he had done the right thing, I'm positive my son would be alive 
today," Jacquline McClelland said.
Young spokesman Allan Hubbard declined to comment.
The protest, held just around the corner from a 20-foot tall Confederate 
war memorial statue dedicated to "Our Heroes," attracted about a dozen 
white onlookers who watched from the parking lot about 30 yards away.
Rock Banks, whose arms were covered in sleeves of tattoos, identified 
himself as a grand titan in the East Texas Ku Klux Klan. He wore a 
baseball cap depicting a skull wearing a cowboy hat set against a 
Confederate flag. He explained that his "boss sent me here" to keep an 
eye on the protest.
"People come from outside and start trouble and leave this place 
stewing," Banks said. "If those two boys killed that man, they should 
get what they deserve. But it ain't got nothing to do with Jasper."
David Stewart, who said he owns a business in Paris, handed out a flyer 
saying that the New Black Panther Party is a racist organization.
"The Black Panthers have no business being here when they are racist 
themselves," Stewart said. "They are labeling us as racists because of a 
couple isolated incidents."






http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/11/rss.htm#e6

Sonal Shah’s appointment raises protests Tuesday, 11 Nov, NEW YORK: 
Three Indian-American organizations have protested the appointment of 
Sonal Shah in President-elect Barack Obama's transition team, 
maintaining she is a close associate of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), 
which had ‘openly supported’ the persecution of Christians and Muslim 
minorities in India.’ In a joint statement issued Monday, the 
organizations -- Indian Coalition Against Genocide, Indian American 
Coalition for Pluralism and Non-President Indians for a Secular and 
Harmonious India — said they are holding consultations among themselves 
and like minded Indian American leaders on the issue. (Posted @ 05:45 PST)






http://guanabee.com/2008/11/literally-tens-of-people-protest-fresno-news-for-managers-offensive-remark-against-hispanics-get-results

Literally Tens of People Protest Fresno News For Manager’s Offensive 
Remark Against Hispanics, Get Results
26 November 2008, 12:45 PM. By Guanabee Staff
31 views. 3 Comments

Alright, dozens of people showed up in downtown Fresno on Tuesday, in 
order to protest the remarks made by former KFSN/ABC 30 General Manager 
Bob Hall. Last week, Hall tried to avoid jury duty by claiming he 
wouldn’t be a fair juror because KFSN’s newsroom had found statistical 
evidence that proved Hispanics have a propensity to commit violent 
crimes. Hall not only managed to escape jury duty, but he also escaped 
his job as general manager.

Hall resigned on November 22 after apologizing and stating that no such 
research or statistical evidence existed. However, Hispanic leaders 
would not disband until they were assured an investigation would be 
called into Hall’s possible perjury, since he was apparently under oath 
when asked about any preexisting prejudices that might conveniently make 
him unsuitable for jury duty, and to re-establish that no such evidence 
exists to prove Hispanics like to commit violent crimes. Hispanic 
leaders, as they like to be called, also managed to get the news station 
to promise to create a weekly show that will feature Hispanics in a 
positive light.
So, to summarize, a general manager at a news station claims Hispanics 
have a propensity towards violent crimes. In response, dozens of people, 
most “Hispanic leaders”, come together to force an apology from the 
station (including several statements all clarifying that no such 
research or propensity exists in reality) and they get a propaganda show 
portraying Hispanics only in a positive light. And what, pray tell, 
would have happened if they didn’t get their show? And why is it bad to 
lie under oath when a defense lawyer asks if you have any prejudices 
that would make you unsuitable for jury duty? If we have to refer to a 
few people as “white devils” to get out of jury duty, we’ll do it. It’s 
not a personal; it’s just life.





http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=9416818&nav=menu612_2_6

ABC 30 Reaches Agreement with Hispanic Protesters

Nov 26, 2008 07:58 AM

By: Monty Torres
Dozens from the valley's large hispanic community showed up in downtown 
Fresno on Tuesday.
They were there to demonstrate their displeasure over recent comments 
made by KFSN/ ABC 30's outgoing General Manager, but also to announce 
some new agreements.
"I felt it was kind of inappropriate, said Derek Asayas.
The focus? Offensive comments made by KFSN's recently resigned General 
Manager.
Fresno County Democratic Chair Jose Murillo said, "The purpose of this 
meeting is to express our regret over the comments made by Bob Hall, who 
was the General Manager of KFSN."
In Fresno County Superior Court last week, Hall reportedly said he 
couldn't be a fair juror because of research by KFSN's newsroom which 
showed a propensity for Hispanic's to commit violent crimes.
Hall later apologized and stated no such research existed---an assertion 
KFSN management also made clear in separate statements.
But outside ABC 30 studios hispanic leaders said, they want to be sure.
Murillo made clear, "We just want to verify that there is no such 
research and such a story that is going to be brought by Channel 30."
Murillo also called for an investigation into Hall's possible perjury 
for making the statement about the research under oath, if there really 
was no such research.
At Fresno State, Associate Professor of Journalism, Dr. Gary Price added 
some perspective.
"He probably should have kept his mouth shut." But Price was careful to 
make a distinction between the conduct of KFSN reporters, anchors, news 
personnel, and it's former General Manager's slip of the tongue.
"I think most working journalists are professional enough that they 
really don't need someone to set an example for them because they're 
going to do the right thing anyway," said Price.
Mr. Hall resigned last Saturday. Regarding the incident, Channel 30 
released this statement Tuesday.

'We look forward to continuing to work with them and others as part of 
our historically strong commitment to covering achievements of the 
Latino community and serving the needs and interests of our Latino 
viewers. Action News has always been committed to unbiased reporting and 
upholds the highest journalistic standards of fairness and accuracy."
Murillo said KFSN has come to several new agreements with hispanic 
leaders, including an investigation to establish that no research 
correlating Hispanic ethnicity and propensity to crime had been or was 
being conducted by the station, and a promise to create a weekly show 
featuring Hispanics in a positive light.







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/11/412281.html

Activists protest in support of asylum seekers
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! | 05.11.2008 12:37 | Anti-racism | 
Migration | Repression
On 4 November activists from No Borders, Southall Black Sisters and the 
Coalitions to Stop Deportations to Iraq joined Fight Racism! Fight 
Imperialism!’s monthly demonstration outside Communications House 
Immigration Reporting Centre, Old Street, London in protest against 
immigration Minister Phil Woolas’s new offensive against immigrants and 
in support of all those faced with detention and deportation.
60 Iraqi Kurds were deported to by charter flight in September and 
another 50 in October. The government claims that its war against the 
people of Iraq has rendered the country ‘safe’ for deportees to be 
forced back to.

On 18-19 November the High Court will hear the appeal in the ‘BK’ 
Country Guidance case about deportations to Democratic Republic of 
Congo. Meanwhile anyone can see from the news that DRC is not a safe 
place to be sent to

Immigration reporting centres are places of fear for asylum seekers, who 
have to report to them monthly, weekly or even several time s a week. 
 From reporting centres asylum seekers can be detained without warning 
and sent to removal centres to await deportation. Solidarity outside the 
centres is always appreciated.

The next demonstration at Communications House will be on 2 December 1-2pm.
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!
e-mail: defendasylumseekers at yahoo.co.uk







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112059820300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Matric hostels: samajam to stage protest
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Bharatheeya Pattika Jana Samajam will take out a march to the 
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Office at the Civil 
Station today to protest against the poor condition of the post-matric 
hostels in the district.
The district secretary of the samajam Sajiv Pinarmunda said that basic 
living facilities and hygiene were missing in the hostels for the 
Scheduled categories throughout the State.
“The hostel for boys at the Foreshore Road here is in a pathetic 
condition with unhygienic toilets and kitchen. Water is inadequate and 
often students do not get enough water for their daily needs. The mess 
hall is in a dilapidated condition. The toilets do not even have proper 
lighting,” he said
Mr. Pinarmunda said that 46 students are living in the hostel, which can 
accommodate only much lesser numbers. The condition of the girls’ hostel 
is no better. The safety of the inmates is also a concern as there is no 
guard or warden at the hostel during night, he said. Proper maintenance 
is not carried out at the existing hostel on the excuse of building new 
facilities, he said. The officials of the department are neither 
concerned about the welfare of the Scheduled category, nor are they 
performing their duties, they said.
Raju Kumbalan, State organising secretary, P.K. Pankajakshan, district 
president, and Pradeep K. Kunnukara, State secretary, were also present.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112054880600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Novel protest by ISKCON devotees
HYDERABAD: For over five hours this busy street morphed into a divine 
street. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Chirag Ali Lane and streets abutting 
it resonated with the unceasing chants of ‘Hare Krishna-Hare Rama’. No 
expletives were hurled. And no one tried to antagonise the police during 
this novel protest.
The protest was against Government’s plan to acquire 2,890 square yards 
of Secunderabad International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) 
temple. Over 2,000 devotees converged here on Wednesday to register 
their resentment, over the proposal, by taking up Krishna chanting and 
dancing to its tunes.
Devotees, drawn from various walks of life, were miffed by a November 5 
notification, which said that 2,890 sq. yards of the temple property 
would be acquired for metro rail project. A human chain was formed and 
all the incoming and outgoing roads to Hyderabad Collector office were 
blocked. No one was allowed inside the Collector’s office.
Huge speakers blared out Krishna chanting, interspersed by fervent pleas 
to lay-off the property acquiring process. Women devotees blocked the 
road and tried to assuage visitors, who were upset for not being allowed 
to attend their daily work in various offices located in this street.
Traffic towards this lane, Nampally station road and Abids had to be 
diverted. Till 3 p.m., the stretch was completely closed, much to the 
dismay of commuters.
The devotees were also joined by BJP leaders and party workers in large 
numbers.
The ISKCON authorities insisted District Collector Naveen Mittal hold 
talks with them and assure them of positive action. The Collector later 
on held discussions with heads of ISKCON and BJP State president Bandaru 
Dattatreya.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112651951400.htm

Jahnu Barua joins protest by North-East film-makers
Ziya Us Salam
He promises to raise voice for the film-makers from the region
________________________________________
Film-makers from Assam complained of harassment
Saikia was denied entry to screening of his own film
________________________________________
PANAJI: National award-winner Jahnu Barua has joined the protest by the 
North-East film-makers who have complained of harassment and 
discrimination at the ongoing International Film Festival of India in Goa.
Coming out in support of the aggrieved film-makers, Mr. Barua said, “I 
join the protest.” Feeling “discriminated against,” he promised to raise 
his voice for the film-makers from the region.
Earlier, debutant director Maniram had complained to the Directorate of 
Film Festival about the “unprofessional scheduling” of his film, Mon Jai 
(I Feel Like). “It is another example of the discriminatory attitude of 
the Centre towards the North-East,” he said.
A couple of other film-makers from Assam, Gautam Saikia and Gautam Bora, 
had similarly complained of harassment. While Mr. Saikia was denied 
entry to the screening of his own film, Mr. Bora, a jury member, did not 
have any better luck at another screening. Tripura film-maker Joseph 
Pulinthanath had to undergo the embarrassment of his film being confused 
with Arunachal Pradesh by Union Minister of State for Information and 
Broadcasting Anand Sharma at the film’s premiere.
Mr. Maniram said, “Mon Jai (I Feel Like), the Assamese entry in the 
Indian Panorama section of 39th IFFI, is one of the two films scheduled 
for a late screening (10 p.m.), and our small film, representing the 
crisis-ridden Assamese film industry, cannot even be compared to the 
other film, Jodha Akbar in Hindi, which is a big Bollywood venture that 
has been released worldwide already.
“The three-hour long film was scheduled for the last show of the day 
earlier this week, the film ending about an hour after midnight when no 
official or even local transport is available. I share their agony. I 
have never seen this kind of scheduling with other language films.
“I am feeling bad, feeling discriminated against. It might not be 
deliberate but it stems from total ignorance of the North-East. The 
authorities tend to take the region for granted. It is a wrong attitude. 
The North-East film-makers work under heavy odds. They deserve some 
support, not such discrimination. The authorities should try to show 
more favour to the region,” Mr. Barua said.
“The experience has left a bitter taste in the mouth and shattered the 
image of IFFI as a platform where all film-makers, big and small, get 
equal importance,” added Mr. Maniram.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/21/stories/2008112154720400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

DSS stages protest on varsity campus
Staff Reporter
Bangalore: Activists of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti staged a 
protest on the campus of Bangalore University’s Central College here on 
Thursday demanding the appointment of a qualified person from the 
Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes as Vice-Chancellor of the 
university.
N. Murthy, State president of the samiti told presspersons that the 
university had not had a Vice-Chancellor from the Scheduled Castes or 
the Scheduled Tribes since its inception. “There are several qualified 
persons from the community in the university, including in-charge 
Vice-Chancellor H.T. Rathod, Jogan Shankar and B.C. Mylarappa,” he said.
He also urged Minister for Higher Education Arvind Limbavali to fill the 
backlog vacancies in all universities in the State as soon as possible. 
He also said that the Government should initiate action to remove IPS 
official Sanjay Vir Singh from the post of Registrar. “Even though he 
holds such a high position, he is an MBA student in the same university. 
He even changed the timetable to suit his schedule,” Mr. Murthy alleged. 
Mr. Murthy said that members of the samiti would be submitting a 
memorandum of their demands to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister 
B.S. Yeddyurappa and Mr. Limbavali.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112855400300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Protest against PSC decision to move Supreme Court
Staff Reporter
ALAPPUZHA: The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam has 
protested the reported move of the Kerala Public Service Commission 
(PSC) to move the Supreme Court against the High Court directive that 
appointments to government services should be made on a 50:50 
merit-reservation ratio.
Addressing a press conference after a board meeting of SNDP at Cherthala 
near here on Thursday, general secretary Vellappally Natesan said that 
by moving the apex court on the issue, PSC would be harming the 
interests of the backward classes, who stood to gain by the High Court 
directive.
The meeting, Mr. Natesan said, had passed a resolution demanding that 
the State government and PSC should desist from supporting covert moves 
by certain vested interests to sabotage the concept of reservation.
The government, he alleged, was actually helping such vested interests 
by not taking a decision on the issue for the last six months. The 
United Democratic Front too had adopted “double standards” on the 
merit-reservation issue.
Stating that backward classes in the State were facing discrimination 
because of the lack of unity among them, Mr. Natesan said SNDP would 
bring together like-minded backward class organisations and communities 
to launch a massive public agitation against discrimination against 
these classes. SNDP had a formula of its own to solve the issue, he 
said, adding that it would submit the same to the government if it was 
asked to.
The meeting also passed a resolution demanding that the annual income 
ceiling to decide on the creamy layer should be hiked to Rs.9 lakh per 
annum. SNDP president M.N. Soman and others were also present.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/25/stories/2008112554720300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli

Bid to stage demonstration: 27 arrested
Staff Reporter
Tirunelveli: Twenty-seven activists belonging to ‘Puratchi Bharatham’ 
were arrested when they tried to stage a demonstration in front of the 
collectorate here on Monday.
According to sources, they were demanding the Government to take action 
against those who attacked the innocent Dalit students at Chennai Law 
College.
While the activists were proceeding towards the collectorate, the police 
intercepted their vehicles and arrested them at Vannarpettai.
The police have registered a case and are investigating.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111161050600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Dalit Christians stage demonstration
Staff Reporter
On non-inclusion in Scheduled Caste list
PHOTO: R_M_RAJARATHINAM

DEMAND: Members of National Council of Dalit Christians staging a 
demonstration in Tiruchi on Monday. —
TIRUCHI: The Dalit Christians Liberation Movement organised a 
demonstration in the city on Monday condemning the non-inclusion of 
Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste list.
The demonstration held near Khadi Kraft Junction was led by the Movement 
district president Janatha Arokiasamy.
Implement panel report
The demonstrators demanded the immediate implementation of Justice 
Ranganath Mishra Commission’s recommendations.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110554370400.htm

New Delhi

Demonstration at Delhi University
NEW DELHI: The Democratic Teachers’ Forum for Social Justice held a 
demonstration at Delhi University on Tuesday demanding “social justice 
for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes at all 
levels”.
The Forum has demanded immediate implementation of the University Grants 
Commission’s guidelines (May 2006) regarding reservation in teaching 
positions for SC/ST candidates. It has also said that the ad hoc 
positions for teaching posts reserved for SCs/STs/OBCs must be filled by 
reserved candidates only, said Forum coordinator Ratan Lal.