Press Release 

Report of Demonstration at the U.S. Department of State

 

Washington, DC: The World Sindhi Institute organized a peaceful demonstration in front of the main entrance of the U.S. Department of State, on Monday, June 18, 2007, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. In the intense afternoon heat, representatives from various other pro-democracy organizations also joined in and participated actively in the rally.

 

The demonstration was held on the occasion of the official meting of the U.S. Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Khurshid Kasuri. The protestors protested against the atrocities of human rights and lack of true democracy in Pakistan at the hands of the military government ruled by the self-proclaimed President of the country, General Pervez Musharraf.

 

This was a clear and strong expression of solidarity among different groups of Pakistani Americans for the cause of human rights, justice, and supremacy of law in Pakistan . Other than WSI, the participating groups were Sindhi Association of North America ( SANA ), Baloch Society Of North America (BSO-NA), Adeeb Media, Muslim League – Nawaz and some Free Lance Journalists. Through posters and chanting slogans a street across the building of State Department, the participants of the rally expressed their dissatisfaction with the current situation of political and judicial instability in Pakistan , as the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice was meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister, Khurshid Kasuri inside the building. Holding signs that condemn terrorism and military rule in Pakistan and promote democracy and human rights in Sindh and Balochistan, the group attracted numerous glances from passers-by and even long looks from some likely participants in the meeting. The group was quiet most of the time, but had a visible presence until the last 30 minutes, when some group members took the initiative to passionately chant slogans to which the rest of the crowd responded, drawing more looks and even a wave from the foreign minister himself.  A folder containing a letter from the Executive Director of WSI to US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice along with some relevant information material was sent inside the State Department and was received by Mr. Jerry Richardson, Personal Assistant to Dr. Rice. Several participants walked around the perimeter of the State Department and distributed more than a hundred flyers explaining the purpose of the rally, which were enthusiastically received by some. It got very hot by the close of the two hours event, but the heat didn’t affect the mood of the assembly. WSI members thanked partners from all the other organizations and the group disbanded with a positive attitude, agreeing that the event was a success.