[Video-Audio Inside]More than 8000 at the massive rally in Canberra; Senator Bob Brown makes surprise visit and meet the hunger strikers; protestors walk to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT); Hunger Strikers to meet DFAT Representative.
The Tamils in Australia rose up against Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka and their movement 'fast unto action' grow with vigour on hearing of Sri Lankan Army closing in to the 'no fire zone' and using chemical weapons on civilian targets. As Sri Lanka defy international request for a ceasefire with LTTE and intensify its assault on safe zone, and international community’s inaction to confine it, make the Tamil Diaspora to feel that they are let alone in the struggle, and that strike them in their face with thrust, that they have to fight for their brethren single handed.[Interview with Mr.John Tharma - Organizer]
The hunger strike that started on Saturday at Parramatta moved to Kirribilli house and from there now to Canberra, outside Prime Minister's residence. Three youth from Sydney started the hunger strike on Saturday (11th April) and another three youth from Melbourne joined them on Monday (13th April).
In support of the hunger strikers, Australian Tamils organized a massive rally today (17th April) at Canberra. More than 8000 people have joined the rally. Tamil National reporter , Thees, reporting from Canberra said, more and more people are pouring in and he expect more than 10,000 to join the rally. This is the biggest ever rally in Australia, he said. People are coming from distance travelling by bus and joining the rally to show their solidarity.
Senator Bob Brown, Leader of the Green party had made a surprise visit at 12 noon today and spoke to the six hunger strikers and while addressing the crowd he had said, he would push for media to gain access to the conflict zone in Sri Lanka and urge the Australian Foreign Minister to call for a ceasefire. Senator Bob Brown has himself participated in hunger strikes before, and he told the participants he understood the high emotions attached to an issue such as the one plaguing the Tamil Diaspora.
Tamil National reporter at the venue said, emotions running high at the protest rally and he could see a flood of people both Tamils and non Tamils marching to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), carrying placards ' Save the Tamils,' 'Our Leader Prabhakaran,' 'Tamil Eelam, the solution,' and 'Don't use chemical weapons' are some.
A delegation, comprising of two hunger strikers and two youth activists will meet with a DFAT representative and hand over their demands.
The rally comes as three of the six hunger strikers Sutha, Mathi and Pratheepan, prepare to enter their seventh day and they are reported to be at a very critical health condition.
The participants of the rally are calling upon the Australian government to use its diplomatic powers to pressure Sri Lanka into entering an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
On Wednesday night, one of the young men Sutha was rushed via ambulance to the Emergency Department as he developed signs of severe dehydration and blood results confirmed muscle breakdown. After being rehydrated, he returned within hours to continue his protest.
Hundreds of Australian Tamils have converged outside The Lodge over the past week to give support to the hunger strikers. “We are worried about their health and we want them to stop but we understand they are doing this out of desperation,” said Dharshan Guna. “If I have lost contact with my family for more than 6 months and I know the Sri Lankan government is bombing where they live, I might do the same too,” he added.
The hunger strike taking place outside the Prime Minister’s Canberra residence is a desperate plea to the Australian government to use its diplomatic powers to push the Sri Lankan government on four demands:
1. to enter an immediate and permanent ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam;
2. to immediately allow food, medicine and aid into the conflict zone;
3. to allow vital services, including medical services into the conflict zone;
4. to allow the Tamil people, both in the conflict zone and those indefinitely detained in concentration camps in government-held areas, to decide independently where they wish to reside.
“If Mr Rudd or the Foreign Minister will at least meet us to hear our story, we will stop our hunger strike,” said Sutha. “We [the Australian Tamils] have tried for more than a year to meet them but they have said no each time. We can’t keep waiting any longer. Hundreds of innocent civilians are dying every day,” he added.
