SAN JOSE, CA: American Sikhs can again be happy about   warting the pro-India portrait that the U.S. has swallowed for years. Bay Area Sikhs successfully lobbied for a boycott by U.S. politicians scheduled to speak at a heavily advertised affair sponsored by the F.I.A., (Federation of Indo American Associates),

Protesting the ongoing human rights violations in the Punjab and elsewhere, various Sikh organizations led a march in front of the San Jose Fairmont.

The Coalition of Bay Area Sikhs successfully disrupted India’s anniversary day celebrations sponsored by the FIA and the Indian government over the August 14 weekend. “The demonstrations were a huge success”, said Ram Singh, co-chairman of the Coalition of Bay Area Sikhs,

The FIA brazenly proclaimed in full page advertisements that major political speakers including First Lady Barbara Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton would attend, Bush, Clinton and many other politicians did not attend the event, as the Coalition for Bay Area Sikhs had successfully lobbied officials hard to boycott the event. U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Boxer, at the urging of the Coalition decided not to attend the event at the last minute. Boxer was scheduled to deliver the keynote address Saturday afternoon, San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer at the urging of the Sikh leadership also stayed away from the event held in her home town.

On Friday afternoon at Plaza Park, across from the FIA activities at the Fairmont Hotel, more than 150 Sikhs marched in protest of India’s brutal torture, murder and mistreatment of Sikhs, Many Bay Area news media organizations covered the event, giving the Sikhs an opportunity to voice their concerns to the American public.

Ram Singh, of the Coalition of Bay Area Sikhs said, “we are here to expose India’s atrocities to humanity.”

Many people came to protest the event, including a contingent of human rights activists led by Bob Swenson of the Coalition for Human rights issue” said Swenson, “The atrocities committed by death Squads and the Indian Government mist stop. This is an international crime against humanity,”

The Coalition of Bay Area Sikhs: continued its high visibility rally and educational forum distributing leaflets to those FIA Vents at the Performing Airs later that evening and also distributing leaflets to many of Santa Clara County’s leading citizens who were attending a dinner at the Fairmont that evening in recognition of Asian-~ American contributions.

The events culminated with a successful rally at Plaza Park on Saturday drawing 500 Sikhs and prompting Senatorial candidate Barbara Boxer to not attend her scheduled speech. The FIA tried to put its best face forward claiming in a television interview that Sikhs tend to exaggerate the problems in Punjab. But judging from the number of elected officials who were to show up for FIA activities and did not, the only exaggerations come from the FIA and Indian Government.

We must begin educating our American brothers and sisters to the atrocities being committed against our Sikh friends and family. We must educate our American politicians about these heinous crimes that are occurring so that the slaughter of innocent men, women and children will stop. This rally is a good first step in that Americans, who watch television, listen to the radio and read the newspapers were educated and informed about the death and torture of hundreds of thousands of Sikhs. If we can get Americans to concern themselves with the civil rights violations in Punjab, human rights groups like Amnesty International, journalists and a congressional delegation can all visit Punjab and report to America the atrocities occurring to our people”, said Ram Singh.

Leaders and representatives from local youth organizations and Gurdwaras were on hand to provide media information and assistance, Sikhs. Thanks to the hard work of S. Jaswant Singh of San Jose Gurdwara, Bhai Jit Singh Baniwal, Bhai Jaswinder Singh Jandi, (Gurdwara Man. Com. Pres. Fremont), S. Ram Singh, Fremont and S. Gurdial Singh of El Sobrate Gurdwara the protest march could be called a true success, Refreshments were provided by the San Jose Sangat.

“We will continue to lobby our local elected officials urging them al every Opportunity to boycott Indian government sponsored events. We will continue to educate our American friends who can influence elected officials to put pressure on the Indian Government, but to continue this requires money.”

Concemed Sikhs can send funds to continue these types of activities. Donations can be sent to; the Coalition of Bay Area Sikhs, 300 Hillside Ave., Fremont, CA 94536. ‘The three day media and lobbying blitz cost the Coalition more than $2500. Please send as much as you can or call Ram Singh at 408262-3116 if you can assist.

Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 28, 1992