The World Sindhi Institute
June 03, 2007
Press Release

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Rally In Washington, DC To Condemn Karachi Massacre, Call For Democracy

The World Sindhi Institute participated in a two-hour protest rally of around 50 protestors at Lafayette Park in front of The White House in Washington , DC on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The rally was a collaborative initiative of many U.S. based organizations of people from Pakistani origin, including Asian-American Network Against the Abuse of Human Rights (AANA), American Pakistani Physicians for Justice and Democracy, Human Right Foundation, Sindhi Association of North America, Pakistan American Democratic Forum, The World Sindhi Congress, American Muslim Peace Initiative, Pakistan American Congress, Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaaf, Pakistan People's Party-USA and Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz group.

The recent violence in Karachi , where a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally clashed, resulting in killings of numerous common citizens, with government taking NO action, became the urgent cause to call the rally in DC.

The rally demanded an end to the military rule in Pakistan , resignation of General Pervez Musharraf as both Pakistan ’s president and army chief. The rally complained that under military rule, Musharraf has harassed and controlled the media, the Supreme Court and other institutions. The main complaint is that the Pakistani people have no say in their government. Another complain voiced during rally was that the money paid from America to Pakistan through the Bush Administration to fight terrorism is being used to persecute the political opponents of the present regime.

The slogans chanted and written on posters were against military oppression, state terrorism, firing of Chief Justice, violence against women & minorities, and they were for Rule of Law, Restoration of Democracy, peace & justice for all, freedom of choice and respect for women in Pakistan . The double game played by Musharraf was exposed and challenged openly at the rally.

WSI plans to hold a discussion forum on the same issues on Friday, June 08, 2007. Invitation flyers of that event were distributed during the rally.