The one year anniversary of the Blood Bath on the Beach is fast approaching. A year ago all of us did all what we could to stop the wanton killing of thousands of our kith and kin. The 60M Tamil Nadu Tamils and over 1M Diaspora Tamils watched in anguish the systematic annihilation of our people, powerless to stop the mass killings. We neglected our jobs, our students walked off their classes skipping exams, we marched in world capitols in tens of thousands, we endured self-immolations, conducted hunger strikes and usurped the conscience of the world. Though we failed to mobilise the International Community to intervene and halt the slaughter, we by our actions recorded clearly what happened for the History to take note and make its judgement on yet another Genocide.
Let us remember the 40,000 Tamil civilians and 10,000 combatants killed in the final months.
Let us mark and remind the world of the 300,000 survivors of brutal war, disabled, weak and destitute, who were put in concentration camps.
If we fail to mark appropriately the first anniversary of the mass killings and internment, it will be an uphill task in years to come to preserve the memory and call for Justice. The World Tamil diaspora will commemorate the agony of our people by holding special events during the week of May 15 - 19. Here in the US, the main event will be the candle light vigil in Washington DC on Saturday May 15th from 3 - 8pm. We will assemble in front of the White House by Lafayette Park at 3pm, holding banners, then walk through the streets to Lincoln Memorial, hold vigil, and light candles in front of the Reflective Pool when it falls dark. Worldwide we will light 40,000 candles, and we will do our share of 4,000 lights at the Reflection Pool. We will also support and participate in the Amnesty International vigils calling for war crimes investigation. We will write Op-eds, issue press releases, and hold Press Conference at the National Press Club.
PLEASE make your maximum effort to come in your Thousands for the May 15 Washington Vigil. Organize yourself Sate by State, arrange transportation and come with your entire families and perhaps few non-Tamil friends. We had a conference call on Monday, and thanks to the 18 Uruppinar who attended the planning meeting. There will be another call next Monday (May 3rd). We are arranging some high profile guests to speak at the event. Let us have the biggest gathering so that the influential people who come to address the Vigil can absorb our feelings and support our quest for Justice and lasting peace. Please share this email with your friends and fellow activists and come to pay homage to the fallen. More details will follow.