December 7, 2020 -- Since the end of November, protesters from the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, and elsewhere have travelled to the outskirts of Delhi, India to protest three farm laws that will worsen the already harsh ecological and economic conditions in which they live. According to
some media sources, the farmers' protest has already inspired the largest strike in world history. These farmers, seeking only to demonstrate peacefully and defend their livelihoods, were met first with dismissal--and then with violence and repression--from the Indian government.
This movement directly affects a majority of the global Sikh population, and the Sikh Coalition stands with Sikhs across the United States and around the world in solidarity with these farmers as they continue to advocate for their rights, dignity, and justice.
TAKE DIRECT CONGRESSIONAL ACTION NOW: Tell your lawmakers in the U.S. Congress to show solidarity with farmers and condemn the Indian government's response to the protest. Take 60 seconds and tell your members of Congress to take action now!
Last week, the Sikh Coalition sent letters to the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the
House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the members of the
American Sikh Congressional Caucus in an effort to help raise awareness and request that they join the growing chorus condemning the Indian government’s undemocratic response. Subsequently, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Co-Chair of the American Sikh Caucus, circulated and
sent a letter to Indian Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu condemning the Indian government response to the protests.
You can help make sure that more members of Congress join this effort by clicking this link and taking 60 seconds to contact your federal elected officials now.
It also remains equally critical that this movement is covered by U.S. and international media without bias, and the Sikh Coalition is supporting efforts to amplify the protests through our media engagement work. The Sikh Coalition led media engagement in support of the
California Kisaan Solidarity Car and Truck Rally that was organized by the Jakara Movement and other California organizers. Thousands of Sikhs--travelling from across the state of California--converged in the Bay Area for an in-vehicle, socially distant protest and rally. This action was covered by
KQED,
ABC 7 Bay Area,
CBS San Francisco,
San Francisco Examiner,
Sacramento Bee,
Mercury News,
Fresno Bee,
Religion News Service,
Press Trust of India,
India West, and more. Similar rallies by Sikh Americans have also recently occurred in several other cities.
The Sikh Coalition is a U.S. based organization and is working to uplift voices here in the US in support of the farmers' protest and encourage our elected officials to speak out against the anti-democratic response of the Indian government towards these farmers. The Sikh Coalition will continue to monitor the situation in Delhi and share updates via our
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram pages.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
