Tamil protest blocks Toronto highway

They are protesting against the Sir Laken Army? For the rebels over accusations of 400 civilian deaths. The Sir Laken Rebels recruit kids from the ages of 10 and above to help them soldier. They corrupt the minds of kids and send them as there little conscripts.

Seeing now I know what there purpose was, I would have gone back in time. Gone down there and tear gases them myself. If the Sir Laken Army did kill 400 civilians. That is bad and indeed worth protesting for. But why the fuck would you protest in another country across the fucking globe from another. Go take a trip over there and protest with the Sir Laken Government and block all there tax paying citizens who just want to go to work to earn money and provide for there families. Not get stuck on a high-way by another protest group.

As far as I can see, both sides, as in the Sinhalese and Tamils have committed various atrocities.
It is also quite obvious that the Tamils have been discriminated against and even persecuted by the Sri Lankan government.

That aside, illegal demonstrations should be stopped. These Tamil demonstrators are waving the flags of a terrorist organisation which makes me less than sympathetic.
The main problem I have is their blocking of streets and highways in protest in the very country that accepted them as refugees and that has no impact on the civil war in Sri Lanka.

They are trampling on our rights to move freely in our own country and they are disregarding our laws and abusing our police, as well as putting people at risk on the highway and clogging major routes for citizens and emergency services.

That's why these protests will just alienate the Tamils from everybody else and any sympathy they did have will be lost.

wow EyeBrock I agree with your post.. good post. well said

Although I disagree with the whole disrupting traffic thing, I must say that Canadians could learn a lot from the Tamil protesters.

In this country where new taxes are added and benefits are taken away without a wimper from the populace, it is refreshing to see a group whom is willing to take their message to the streets and stand up for what they believe in.

I am very dismayed to read the posters whom seem to believe that once you emmigrate to this country you are just supposed to forget your family and the place that you came from. It should be reminded that many of the Tamils who came hear came as political refugees and would gladly have stayed home if they were not fleeing political persecution. As one of the most sparsly populated countries in the world, I do believe that we have an obligation to help those in need as we are a country rich with land and resources. It is also benifitial to our economy to have more young hardworking people come hear as we have a huge babyboomer population who will need more and more support as time goes on.

Every Canadian is entitled to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and I certainly would not discourage any person from expressing their views especially when human lives are at stake. It is too bad we did not have a large Tutsi population to bring light to their cause during the Rwanda genocide. Perhaps it could have helped to get people off their asses and lend a hand.

So Delwin, what should we do in Canada about Sri Lanka?

First off, we should use our voice in the UN to bring attention to their cause, as that seat belongs to all Canadians even those of Sri Lankaan Origin. We have no place in a civil war but could request for the presence of international observers to document any human rights violations that may be occuring. If that doesn't work, we should open up talks with both sides of the conflict and try to encourage our allies to do the same. What we should not do is stand by silently as innocent people are being killed. The more discussion there is about this, the more likely it will be that the Sri Lankaan government feels pressure to allow for the passage of the women, children and elderly out of the heavily bombed Jafna region. I think they are the main concern.

You need to read up on what Bev Oda has been doing already. What is Iggy proposing?

This is not a Canadian struggle, but I agree that we should protest our concerns.

The only Canadian struggle here is the cops getting bikes thrown at them and the people of Toronto trying to get around town.

Do you live in Toronto Delwin? Or is that bit on your profile just for fun? Chat to your neighbours, I bet they love Tamils now.

OK I have read about her efforts and it is a good start.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/05/0 ... igers.html

However, it is imperative that the Sri Lankaan government allow international observers in to assess the situation. The government says that the Tigers are using civilians as human shields which the Tigers deny but which may be true, and the Tigers are saying that the government is bombing the civilian areas which the government denies but which may be true. The government is saying that they can't let International journalists in because they can't guarantee their safety well, that is not sufficient. This is where the international community should say well, we have reason to believe that human rights violations may be occuring so we are just going to park ourselves over on that hill and provide our own protection, don't mind us.

Yes I have lived here my whole life, Markham and Sheppard, Tamil central. Not that it matters.

I said I disagreed with them disrupting the highway, but you have to admit that it did get them the attention that they were looking for, albeit negative. Sure it has turned some against the protesters theselves, but I don't think that many are saying, well you disrupted traffic so I hope they wipe out your entire race, which is essential the risk they are facing. And so, it is difficult to gauge whether the rally will be considered a success or failure by the organizers but my guess is that some are thinking that with their new found voice in parliament, the ends has justified the means.

They were successful because they sussed out that because they were brown that the cops would be too scared to arrest them for breaking the law. They were also well aware that Six Nations have been doing the same for 3 years with impunity.

It's a sad reflection on our society when certain groups can do this but I can't blame them, I place the blame for this rather poor state of affairs on the lack of leadership in the Toronto Police, the OPP and the Provincial Liberals and Federal CPC.

All too scared to stand up for the rights of the majority who suffer at the hands of the tamils and Six Nations, but quite happy to take whatever shit these guys dish out.