Opposition show support for banned Tamil Tigers again.
ridenrain @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:43 pm
$1:
Local politicians speak at rally attended by thousands
BY MIKE ADLER
June 12, 2007 04:59 PM
Politicians of Canada's three largest political parties expressed solidarity with Canadian Tamils in Scarborough this week, but did so as hundreds in the crowd waved symbols of the banned Tamil Tigers.
Besides its sheer size - about 5,000 people filling Albert Campbell Square and the surrounding steps - the rally was notable for the amount of Tiger paraphernalia displayed. Hundreds of flags bore the tiger-and-crossed-rifles symbol of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, added last April to Canada's list of terrorist organizations.
Scores in the square beside Scarborough Civic Centre on Monday evening held up portraits of Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabakaran, declaring him to be president of an already-independent Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka.
Despite this, politicians from all levels of government expressed sympathy with the Tamil community and said Canada must do more to make sure the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka ends.
Canada must use its international influence to restore a ceasefire on the island and end the human rights violations there, said Ontario New Democratic Leader Howard Hampton, who accused Canada's current Conservative leadership and the former Liberal government of ignoring "the suffering of the people of Sri Lanka."
"No one should be prepared to allow the killing to continue," he said, adding he also spoke for federal NDP Leader Jack Layton.
Scarborough Centre MPP Brad Duguid delivered thanks to people in the crowd, on behalf of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and himself, "for courageously standing up for human rights. Our Tamil community has a history of prevailing," he added.
"We will stand up to those who kill, those who murder and commit human rights abuses," said Duguid. "I wish you all the courage you'll need to carry on this fight."
(Except in Afghanistan, or places that don't vote Liberal)
On Tuesday, the MPP said he had not seen Tiger flags before. "I wasn't even sure what they were until I asked somebody," Duguid said, but added he was at what he still considers to have been a peace rally to address families, not a part of the community that is "not shy" about expressing its support for the Tigers.
Given what is happening in Sri Lanka, "it is difficult to expect a dispassionate response" at a rally, he said.
Ward 42 (Scarborough-Rouge River) Councillor Raymond Cho, who also spoke, said he saw the people at the rally but didn't notice the Tiger flags waving by the stage. "Next time if they ask me to speak I'll pay attention to them," he said Tuesday.
"I just spoke and left."
Though the Canadian Tamil Congress has organized many similar rallies in the past and invited media to the square on Monday, spokesperson David Poopalapillai said the event was organized by other groups.
"We were not in charge of it," he said. "Sometimes we let others do things because that's the way democracy works."
The rally was meant to inform Canadians about the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka, particularly recent human rights violations such as disappearances and mass deportations, Poopalapillai said.
It is a crime in Canada to either finance or be a member of groups on the list of terrorist organizations but not necessarily to associate with them.
"Raising funds (for the Tigers) is illegal; I don't know about raising flags," Poopalapillai said.
One man handing out Tiger flags and leading cheers said he was a member of the Canada-Tamil Eelam Liberation Students Association, a small group he said organized the rally. The man wouldn't give his name or be interviewed during the rally and said no one from the organization could speak either. "Maybe later on," he said.
It's a shame Prime Minister Stephen Harper "will not recognize Tamils as a nation," Scarborough-Agincourt MP Jim Karygiannis said on stage during the rally.
Karygiannis then called the ban on LTTE a shame and promised many MPs, especially Liberals, "will stand shoulder to shoulder with you" to ensure "peace with justice" in Sri Lanka.
His fellow Liberal MPs Derek Lee (Scarborough-Rouge River) and Dan McTeague (Pickering-Scarborough East) were invited to deliver statements by phone at the rally but in the end did not.
Lee said he has been to events where the Tiger flag was visible and has avoided being photographed with it. While he does understand the desire of some Canadian Tamils to fly that flag, Lee said he would be more comfortable if his constituents rallied around the Canadian flag to make their points.
The MP added he has sympathy for the community's concerns and that, "I can accept they would exercise their freedoms to the extent possible."
BY MIKE ADLER
June 12, 2007 04:59 PM
Politicians of Canada's three largest political parties expressed solidarity with Canadian Tamils in Scarborough this week, but did so as hundreds in the crowd waved symbols of the banned Tamil Tigers.
Besides its sheer size - about 5,000 people filling Albert Campbell Square and the surrounding steps - the rally was notable for the amount of Tiger paraphernalia displayed. Hundreds of flags bore the tiger-and-crossed-rifles symbol of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, added last April to Canada's list of terrorist organizations.
Scores in the square beside Scarborough Civic Centre on Monday evening held up portraits of Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabakaran, declaring him to be president of an already-independent Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka.
Despite this, politicians from all levels of government expressed sympathy with the Tamil community and said Canada must do more to make sure the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka ends.
Canada must use its international influence to restore a ceasefire on the island and end the human rights violations there, said Ontario New Democratic Leader Howard Hampton, who accused Canada's current Conservative leadership and the former Liberal government of ignoring "the suffering of the people of Sri Lanka."
"No one should be prepared to allow the killing to continue," he said, adding he also spoke for federal NDP Leader Jack Layton.
Scarborough Centre MPP Brad Duguid delivered thanks to people in the crowd, on behalf of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and himself, "for courageously standing up for human rights. Our Tamil community has a history of prevailing," he added.
"We will stand up to those who kill, those who murder and commit human rights abuses," said Duguid. "I wish you all the courage you'll need to carry on this fight."
(Except in Afghanistan, or places that don't vote Liberal)
On Tuesday, the MPP said he had not seen Tiger flags before. "I wasn't even sure what they were until I asked somebody," Duguid said, but added he was at what he still considers to have been a peace rally to address families, not a part of the community that is "not shy" about expressing its support for the Tigers.
Given what is happening in Sri Lanka, "it is difficult to expect a dispassionate response" at a rally, he said.
Ward 42 (Scarborough-Rouge River) Councillor Raymond Cho, who also spoke, said he saw the people at the rally but didn't notice the Tiger flags waving by the stage. "Next time if they ask me to speak I'll pay attention to them," he said Tuesday.
"I just spoke and left."
Though the Canadian Tamil Congress has organized many similar rallies in the past and invited media to the square on Monday, spokesperson David Poopalapillai said the event was organized by other groups.
"We were not in charge of it," he said. "Sometimes we let others do things because that's the way democracy works."
The rally was meant to inform Canadians about the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka, particularly recent human rights violations such as disappearances and mass deportations, Poopalapillai said.
It is a crime in Canada to either finance or be a member of groups on the list of terrorist organizations but not necessarily to associate with them.
"Raising funds (for the Tigers) is illegal; I don't know about raising flags," Poopalapillai said.
One man handing out Tiger flags and leading cheers said he was a member of the Canada-Tamil Eelam Liberation Students Association, a small group he said organized the rally. The man wouldn't give his name or be interviewed during the rally and said no one from the organization could speak either. "Maybe later on," he said.
It's a shame Prime Minister Stephen Harper "will not recognize Tamils as a nation," Scarborough-Agincourt MP Jim Karygiannis said on stage during the rally.
Karygiannis then called the ban on LTTE a shame and promised many MPs, especially Liberals, "will stand shoulder to shoulder with you" to ensure "peace with justice" in Sri Lanka.
His fellow Liberal MPs Derek Lee (Scarborough-Rouge River) and Dan McTeague (Pickering-Scarborough East) were invited to deliver statements by phone at the rally but in the end did not.
Lee said he has been to events where the Tiger flag was visible and has avoided being photographed with it. While he does understand the desire of some Canadian Tamils to fly that flag, Lee said he would be more comfortable if his constituents rallied around the Canadian flag to make their points.
The MP added he has sympathy for the community's concerns and that, "I can accept they would exercise their freedoms to the extent possible."
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/news/News/S ... icle/28187
ryan29 @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:45 pm
the liberals hold all the riding in toronto with significant sri lankan communities, so its no surprise they will try to support this group to gain votes.
hwacker @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:53 pm
Ah liberals, blind as fuck.
ShepherdsDog @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:54 pm
Well with the open door immigration policy, one never knows what will come crawling in.
Delwin @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:13 pm
This is good. I am glad that Tamil Canadians can look for representation from the Liberal party. If their voice here gets loud enough in parliament, Canada could someday be a part of a diplomatic effort to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
ridenrain @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:17 pm
I wonder who's fundraising killed which people? I wonder if the Liberals were proud of this association when they went to Sri Lanka?
Why isn't Taliban jack saving these people with his mavelous ability to talk?
Just a few for starers:
$1:
2007 January 21 - LTTE attacks ship with Indians - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels rammed an explosive-laden boat against a cargo ship...
2007 January 06 - at Seenigama, near the Kahawa junction, 16 miles North West of Galle - More than 15 feared killed and 40 injured in Bus bomb explosion
2006 October 18 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Suicide Bomb Attack on Tsunami hit town, popular tourist destination, Galle, in Sri
2006 October 16 - LTTE's suicide attack at Habarana; Death toll rises to 92
26 June 2006 - Bomb explosion at Pannipitiya - LTTE Kills Deputy Chief of Staff of the SLA
11 May 2006 - Terrorists target ship carrying 700 troops; * Escort vessel sunk with 17 officers and men
25 April 2006 - Bomb attack on Sri Lanka army HQ
26 March 2006 - Navy Dvora sunk: 8 sailors missing 11 wounded
25 March 2006 - LTTE Boat Blew Destroying A Naval Craft
08 January 2005 - 13 Navy Sailors Killed by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists
January 07, 2005 - Deadly suicide bomb attack on Sri Lanka navy - Tensions escalate after apparent suicide attack on vessel
July 07, 2004 in Colombo - Tamil Tigers terrorize Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo again
July 07, 2004 in Colombo - Five policemen killed when a suspected LTTE women human bomb exploded
July 07, 2004 in Colombo- Five die as suicide blast rocks Sri Lanka capital
Noverner 15, 2001 in Batticaloa - LTTE suicide bomber kills three and injures nine in Batticaloa
2007 January 06 - at Seenigama, near the Kahawa junction, 16 miles North West of Galle - More than 15 feared killed and 40 injured in Bus bomb explosion
2006 October 18 - LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists Suicide Bomb Attack on Tsunami hit town, popular tourist destination, Galle, in Sri
2006 October 16 - LTTE's suicide attack at Habarana; Death toll rises to 92
26 June 2006 - Bomb explosion at Pannipitiya - LTTE Kills Deputy Chief of Staff of the SLA
11 May 2006 - Terrorists target ship carrying 700 troops; * Escort vessel sunk with 17 officers and men
25 April 2006 - Bomb attack on Sri Lanka army HQ
26 March 2006 - Navy Dvora sunk: 8 sailors missing 11 wounded
25 March 2006 - LTTE Boat Blew Destroying A Naval Craft
08 January 2005 - 13 Navy Sailors Killed by LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists
January 07, 2005 - Deadly suicide bomb attack on Sri Lanka navy - Tensions escalate after apparent suicide attack on vessel
July 07, 2004 in Colombo - Tamil Tigers terrorize Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo again
July 07, 2004 in Colombo - Five policemen killed when a suspected LTTE women human bomb exploded
July 07, 2004 in Colombo- Five die as suicide blast rocks Sri Lanka capital
Noverner 15, 2001 in Batticaloa - LTTE suicide bomber kills three and injures nine in Batticaloa
http://www.spur.asn.au/chronology_of_su ... _Lanka.htm
ridenrain @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:19 pm
Delwin Delwin:
This is good. I am glad that Tamil Canadians can look for representation from the Liberal party. If their voice here gets loud enough in parliament, Canada could someday be a part of a diplomatic effort to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
They already sit with the mafia in Toronto & Quebec, and assorted international terrorists through Maurice Strong.. When are they going to have meetings with the Hells Angels and the triads?
Delwin @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:27 pm
Yes it is a civil war. They are ill-armed and their means of defense is crude. That is why the best policy is to try to resolve the conflict. There are two sides to this conflict, and neither are innocent. The Tamil Tigers are the military representation of a large group of oppressed people who have been pushed to their limits. When they begin being treated like equals in their own country, the "terrorism" will stop. If Canada was a part of that, it would make me very proud.
ShepherdsDog @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:32 pm
The thing is, they don't see Sri lanka as their own country. They want to carve a seperate nation out of it based solely on ethnic lines.
Delwin @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:48 pm
We are not talking about Quebec here, the government is guilty of numerous well documented civil rights abuses against the Tamils whom are a minority. Would you want to be ruled by a race that treated you unequally ?
$1:
The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were serious problems in some areas. There were no reports of security forces committing politically motivated killings and no reports of disappearances; however, there were extensive reports of torture and 13 custodial deaths as a result of police torture. The Government continued investigations into past abuses by armed forces personnel and opened investigations into past abuses by police personnel. Prison conditions remained poor and there were reports of arbitrary arrests during the year. The Government continued to hold 38 Tamils under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during the year; however, no new arrests under the PTA occurred. The PTA, like the repealed Emergency Regulations, permitted warrantless arrest and nonaccountable detention. Violence and discrimination against women, and child prostitution occurred. Violence against religious minorities increased, and institutionalized ethnic discrimination against Tamils remained a problem. Trafficking in women and children for the purpose of forced labor occurred, and there was some trafficking of women and children for the commercial sex industry. The Government acted against the child sex trade. Child labor, limitations of worker rights, especially in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs), and discrimination against persons with disabilities continued to be problems.
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41744.htm
ShepherdsDog @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:56 pm
6 to 1 half a dozen to the other.
grainfedprairieboy @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:03 pm
Delwin Delwin:
the government is guilty of numerous well documented civil rights abuses against the Tamils whom are a minority. Would you want to be ruled by a race that treated you unequally ?
Replace the word "Tamil" with "Native" and presto; you're Donny_Brasco.
Patrick_Ross @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:06 pm
Delwin Delwin:
This is good. I am glad that Tamil Canadians can look for representation from the Liberal party. If their voice here gets loud enough in parliament, Canada could someday be a part of a diplomatic effort to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
Yep. The Liberals "supported" Tamil Canadians by not adding the Tamil Tigers to the list of banned terrorist groups, even while they were known to be extorting funds from Tamil Canadians through intimidation.That's some great "support", there, Delwin.
hwacker @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:25 pm
Delwin Delwin:
This is good. I am glad that Tamil Canadians can look for representation from the Liberal party. If their voice here gets loud enough in parliament, Canada could someday be a part of a diplomatic effort to bring peace to Sri Lanka.
Unfuckinbelievable
ShepherdsDog @ Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:32 pm
He'd likely give a big warm hug to Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad fifth columnists.