Student From Kings College speaks for Peace

Day Four – Windsor

Day Four – Windsor

We arrived in Windsor late last night, and we were welcomed by a Tamil family, who opened their homes and their hearts to us. It was an interesting thing I picked up all throughout the trip, as the Tamil people that did exist in these areas, although few, were more than willing to help us out in every aspect. When people say Tamils aren’t united, I would like to change that and say Tamils are united across all walks of life, which we have experienced firsthand the first few days.

We woke up early morning and made our way to Windsor University, and met up with our contacts from the CFS (Canadian Federation of Students). On arrival we realized how the campus was pretty much empty. It was the Friday before reading break, and the contacts that helped us out with the teach –in and the tabling let us know that the turnout would be pretty bad. So like we have been doing the past four days we took a different approach to getting our word out. While making our rounds around campus, we had about 100 personal one on one conversation’s with people about the genocide in Sri Lanka. And to our surprise the 100 people were mostly Non-Tamils.

We expected a large number of Tamil people on this campus, but failed to see that large number because of the time we spent on campus. Our “teach – in” drew a large number of non-Tamils, as there were more non-Tamils than Tamils. The teach-in was very successful and actually engaged the audience to ask questions about the genocide. Following the session although we didn’t a point person to be the liaison for our activist network, we actually gained contacts of a person who is willing to find a person to take on that task. All in all this day was very successful. It was very different in every aspect, and in every campus. It was exactly what we expected.

Phase one is complete, and the work is just beginning. We hope that this trip brings about great change.

Until we meet again for phase two of our trip ......

First Leg Final Stop!

The HaltGenocide tour members were excited as we entered the final stop of the first leg of the tour. Windsor welcomed us with a pleasant but quite environment as most students had already left the campus for the upcoming reading week and those around were studying for midterms. But that didn't stop us and we kept it positive.

We got to work, as soon as we were done with set up, by handing out flyers to students around the Campus center and talking to them about the tour and the reason for the initiative. The students were very friendly, receptive and engaging despite the fact that they were studying for midterms. Many wanted to attend the teach-in however the short notice and midterms got in the way. Aside from all this we were still able to draw a fairly good count of students for the Teach-in. The best thing about the Teach-in was that most of those who attended were non-Tamils and were very engaged and interested in learning more!

After the Teach-in ended we got a very positive response from attendees, again reiterating the importance and critical role such an educational initiative has on the masses. I also had the opportunity to connect with some key organizations on the campus such as the Human Rights office and OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Windsor chapter). They were very impressed at the work we were doing and are looking into working with us.

On the way back to Toronto, we were joined by two non-Tamil students from the student union who Nishanthan and Sahab were able to build a good relation with.

Reflecting back into the past four days, which flew by real quickly, I realize that we were able to not just educate those we interacted with but also empower ourselves and them at the same time. When you see people coming together for a certain cause, sharing knowledge and experience and have the willingness to work in solidarity, you truly feel the meaning of slogans such as "The people united will never be defeated!". Through this tour I had the great opportunity to work with an amazingly driven team and meet peace loving people from different walks of life who truly appreciated what we were doing.

We should not waste time and we need to keep on taking on initiatives like these. We should not stop till we accomplish our goals and end the suffering of our Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Goodluck to all the activists from our newly formed networks and the team headed out for the second leg of the tour!

Wishing Love, Peace and Solidarity,

Minnal Sivan

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X

Tour makes final stop in Windsor

Windsor, ON

February 13th, 2009

The Halt Genocide Tour made its last stop in phase one at Windsor, Ontario. At 11:00 am, our tour activists arrived at the University of Windsor. While at the university, we were greeted by members of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), who had already arranged us space for leafleting.

While on campus, our activists got to work as soon as possible. Although, it was exam time for students, many came down to our booth to ask questions and learn about the Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Canadian HART volunteers were able to talk to over 100 non-Tamils on campus about the humanitarian crisis and the unfolding Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Although many were studying last minute for exams, they were willing to take some time off to listen about a serious situation unfolding in Sri Lanka. Our tour participants invited many to attend the teach-in/info session at 2 pm on campus.

The CFS members were excited to see dozens of participants at the teach-in/info session. They claimed that this was the first time that many students attended an info session during exam and reading week times. Canadian HART was able to answer dozens of questions that participants of the info session had. It was great to see many students who wanted to get involved to stop the Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. In attendance at the info session were two professors. They appreciated Canadian HART's work and the unbiased nature of their perspectives. They also applauded Canadian HART for talking about humanitarian issues which at the moment are more important than political.

We had an excellent response in Windsor as well. This just shows that with time and dedication we can all make a huge difference in the world.

Although phase one has finished, more work needs to be done. We are awaiting the next phase of the Halt Genocide Tour. We hope that it would be as as successful as this one.

Nishanthan - Western Speach Video

Student Activist from University of Western

February 12 2009: London, Ontario

Third day an old challenge anew. Every step of the Halt Genocide Tour brings different challenges we have had to adapt to and work around to get our message out. University of Western Ontario represented an especially challenging scenario as we made contact with a local TSA and were shocked to find out that the administration only authorized the group to set up an information table with the condition they could not use the word 'Genocide' or hand out fliers with the term. The administration felt that the term 'Genocide' was too 'political'. I wanted to immediately storm into their offices and discuss with them the basic, unarguable, and non-political facts concerning the ground situation in Sri Lanka. We have only relied on internationally accepted standards and definitions and cited many neutral third party sources in all our discussions. In the past, often it is those who wanted to hide the 'Genocidal' trend of events in Sri Lanka who tried to politicize discussions on the humanitarian situation. To my initial disappointment, the local TSA asked us not too confront the administration for fear of their planned event being shutdown. We honored their request, but we weren't to be disappointed for long. University of Western Ontario’s TSA staged a rally on their campus with members and non-Tamil friends, and without prompting these students began chanting 'Stop The - Genocide!', 'We Want - Justice!', 'Break The - Silence!'. Much of the campus was shocked to a standstill and watched speechlessly as the lively but peaceful demonstration passed by. Speaking with several TSA members, they admitted the club would probably be fined or censured by the administration but felt it was worth it. I was moved by the fact that this TSA, so far removed from Toronto, and without much external support was taking on this challenge so staunchly.

Many within and without our community have faced this challenge; we are often gagged from speaking simple and honest truths because of misrepresentations and misconceptions. It just strengthens my resolve, as I return home to Toronto tonight, to continue revealing the hard truths of Sri Lanka and Working to HALT THE GENOCIDE OF TAMILS!

Wishing God's Blessings and Guidance
Pio