[11 Dec 2013] Russia says decision settling Iran nuclear program should...
Russia says the final decision settling the Iranian nuclear program should guarantee Tehran\'s right to developing a peaceful atomic energy...
Russia says the final decision settling the Iranian nuclear program should guarantee Tehran\'s right to developing a peaceful atomic energy industry and the security of all countries in the Middle East.
In his annual address to the Federal Assembly, Vladimir Putin said a breakthrough has been reached over the Iranian nuclear program but this is only the first step. It is necessary to carry out a patient search aimed at a broader solution to guarantee Iran\'s right to developing its peaceful atomic energy industry. On the missile system built by western countries, the Russian president said the missile defense system built by Western countries is defensive only in name. He added there is no need to develop the program after the recent world powers and Iran reached a deal on Tehran\'s nuclear program.
2m:9s
5576
Iran raps Western interference in its affairs - English
While the dust from post-election unrest is settling in Iran, the Islamic Republic condemns foreign interference by certain Western states in the...
While the dust from post-election unrest is settling in Iran, the Islamic Republic condemns foreign interference by certain Western states in the country's internal affairs.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, said Monday that some European countries and the US have played a major role in provoking the post-election violence that killed scores of people in the past few days.
He made the remarks as the latest pictures show the traffic is normal on Tehran streets, which witnessed calm on Monday and the day before. On Saturday, 'terrorist elements'-who had infiltrated the rallies --created the most violent day of protests by setting fire on a mosque and two gas stations as well as killing a number of people.
“With the main goal of sowing ethnic discord, Western powers have interfered in the election process by hyperbolizing the protests staged against the Iranian poll results,” said Qashqavi in an address to his weekly press conference.
“France has even gone as far as calling for the annulment of the election outcome. What right do they have to make such inappropriate and irresponsible remarks?” asked Qashqavi.
Qashqavi asserted that the Tehran government is planning to respond to the stepped-up “foreign interference” in due time.
Qashqavi went on to criticize foreign media outlets for dramatizing the post-election developments taking place in Iran, saying their efforts to launch a cyber war against the government is “totally out of line”.
“They have resorted into hacking Iranian news sites as a means to widen the gap between the government and the people,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had also warned Europe and the US against meddling with Iran's domestic issues.
Over the past few days, Washington and a slew of European powers have adopted a raucous stance on the June 12 election, which saw incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad win by a landslide.
Defeated presidential rivals Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have called for the nullification of the results and demanded a re-run, giving rise to eight consecutive days of protests and illegal rallies.
36m:36s
14169
Muslim Brotherhood mulls democratic government - 21Feb2011 - English
After the Egyptian revolution brought down Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, a new day for Egypt is settling in and making way for Political change....
After the Egyptian revolution brought down Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, a new day for Egypt is settling in and making way for Political change.
Though Dr. Essam al-Arian believes the army is taking steps in the right direction, he wants to see all members of the old regime out.
The Muslim Brotherhood is currently organizing a new political party and plans to participate in a pluralist government. They will not submit a candidate for president.
Dr. Essam Al-arian believes that Egypt must focus on its Domestic issues first, but would also like to see the nation's relationship with Israel change.
Ahmed Salah is an Independent Political Analyst who's building grassroots democratic institutions throughout the country. He says it is too soon to know how much support the Muslim Brotherhood truly has.
Though the Muslim Brotherhood were not behind the protests that led to the end of Hosni Mubarak's presidency, for decades they stood as the largest opposition and biggest threat to the Mubarak regime.
2m:15s
5828
[19 June 2012] israeli citizen gives up citizenship - English
[19 June 2012] Israeli citizen gives up citizenship - English
24 year old Andrey Pshenichnikov is in the French capital with a purpose that goes...
[19 June 2012] Israeli citizen gives up citizenship - English
24 year old Andrey Pshenichnikov is in the French capital with a purpose that goes beyond tourism.
This is his passport, the one he wants to renounce. In the past, some Israelis have managed to get their citizenship revoked, but there are no known cases of these Israelis applying for Palestinian residency or a Palestinian passport.
Born in Tajikistan before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Andrey Pshenichnikov's parents moved to Russia in search of a better life.
And then the family moved to Israel.
It took only a little while before he discovered the darker side of his new country.
This experience influenced his years as a soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Instead, Andrey Pshenichnikov lived and worked at the Deheishe Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, first in hotels and then in construction.
He is also open to the idea of settling down in Gaza.
Andrey Pshenichnikov says Israeli authorities have black listed him as a terrorist.
And he believes, it's easier to give up his citizenship when he's out of Israel.
He hopes, his decision will set an example and inspire others to follow.
The process to renounce his citizenship could be a lengthy one, one that Andrey Pshenichnikov says he is willing to face.
2m:38s
6816
[16 Jan 2014] Russia calls for Iran participation in upcoming Geneva II...
Russian once again calls for Iran\\\'s participation in the upcoming Geneva two conference on Syria.
In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister...
Russian once again calls for Iran\\\'s participation in the upcoming Geneva two conference on Syria.
In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for Tehran\\\'s participation. Putin says Iran is an important country that can play an irreplaceable role. Putin also says the recent Geneva deal between Iran and the P5+1 on Tehran\\\'s nuclear energy program was achieved largely because of the stance of Iranian authorities. The Iranian foreign minister for his part said Russia has made diplomatic progress in settling the Syrian problem. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said Iran\\\'s role is essential in ending the conflict in Syria.
1m:50s
6395
Farooq Papa addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto 18Aug2019 -...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
4m:41s
3973
Karen Rodman Addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto 18Aug2019 -...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
9m:26s
3867
Stephen Ellis Addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto 18Aug2019 -...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
4m:15s
4122
Imam Zafar Bangash Addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
5m:0s
4120
Ken Stone addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto 18Aug2019 -...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
6m:39s
4083
Sid Ryan Addressing to Kashmir Solidarity Rally Toronto 18Aug2019 - English
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) –...
Canadians pack Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir
Sunday August 18 (Toronto) – thousands of Canadians packed Toronto’s iconic Nathan Philip Square in Toronto to raise their voices in support of the oppressed people of Kashmir.
Organized by Friends of Kashmir Canada, people from all walks of life and belonging to all faiths attended. They included Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other faiths.
Young and old, children as well as people in wheelchairs were there to lend support to their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
At its peak the crowd was so large that it could not be accommodated in the square so people had to climb to the overhead walkway to watch the rally below.
The rally was held to coincide with India’s independence day celebrations paid for the Indian Consulate in Toronto where an India Food Festival was also held.
Realizing the size of the rally in support of the people of Kashmir, Indian consulate staff maintained a low profile and cancelled a number of events including a formal opening ceremony, settling for music blaring from their loudspeakers.
The several dozen vendors peddling greasy Indian food were also subdued, preferring to adopt a low profile aware that the rally participants were highly charged although organizers repeatedly reminded people to ignore Indian vendors peddling their wares.
Speakers were not just from the Kashmiri or Pakistani communities but also included such well-known Canadian society figures as Sid Ryan, former President Ontario Federation of Labor, Journalist Phil Taylor of the famous Taylor Report, Peace Activist Ken Stone, Karen Rodman of Just Peace Advocates and Human Rights Lawyer, Stephen Ellis.
Framing it in the context of International law and based on UN Security Council resolutions, speakers repeatedly called upon the Canadian government to take a more forthright stand on the long-festering problem of Kashmir.
Several speakers also highlighted the fact that with federal elections due in October, the question of Kashmir should be made a part of the election campaign. Rally participants were told that when candidates come knocking at your door seeking your vote, ask them about their stand on Kashmir.
“If they don’t support the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, tell them they will not have your vote,” said Zafar Bangash, Convener of the Friends of Kashmir Canada and one of the principal organizers of the rally.
Ken Stone reminded rally participants that it was a retired Canadian general, Andrew MacNaughton who was instrumental in formulating the earlier Security Council resolutions. “Canada, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to fulfill its obligations in implementing the resolutions that it drafted.”
Sid Ryan, the former Labor leader and now an accomplished author, called upon people to unite for justice and peace causes whether these relate to Kashmir or Palestine.
Human Rights Lawyer Stephen Ellis said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be investigated for war crimes, a sentiment echoed by another lawyer, Jatinder Singh, who is with the group, Sikhs for Justice.
A number of young Kashmiri students among them Salma Khawaja, Khaoula Siddiqi, Shaheen Siddiqui, Ayesha Malik (not her real name because her parents are still in Srinagar and she managed to get out of there with the help of the Canadian High Commission staff in Delhi) and Mueen Hakak also spoke narrating passionate accounts of the suffering of the Kashmir people.
There were also a number of speakers from the Sikh community that came to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Rally organizers vowed that the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiris will continue until they achieve their legitimate aspirations to hold a referendum as contained in a number of UN Security Council resolutions.
COMPLETE PICTORIAL COVERAGE of Kashmir Solidarity Rally, City Hall Toronto Canada, 18th August 2019.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XjmTHmEScDtdueSJ8
5m:21s
3880