Press Release - 5 NOV 2008 (Human Chain)

Press Release

05^th Nov 2008. Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: HUMAN CHAIN organised by CSMR to defend the human rights of sexworkers and sexual minorities and to denounce brutal police violence on peaceful human rights defenders

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR) is organising a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defenders by the Banashankari police personnel on 20^th November 2008.

On 5^th November 2008 , over five hundred human rights activists got together at Gandhi statue, MG road, Bangalore. Those gathered in support included those working on the rights of dalits, women, workers, students, youth urban poor, religious minorities, sexual minorities, sexworkers, people living with HIV and on the issues of environemnt, peace, working for communal harmony, cultural activists, Students (UTC), activists working for social change and many organisations across Karnataka state came together to participate in the human chain to show solidarity and support to sexuality minorities and sex workers in Bengaluru. More than 500 people gathered near Mahatma Gandhi statue and formed a human chain as a symbol of support holding hands with each other and being part of the struggle for rights of sexual minorities and sex workers. The police too were present in large numbers in precaution and support. The human chain was formed from the Chinnaswamy stadium to LIC building on M.G.Road. This action is also bringingout into the pubilc, the atrocities by the police towards sexual minorities, sex workers and marginalised Communities. Activists carried banners demanding the dismissal of the guilty police of the October 20^th incident. The response from the public for all events has been one of solidarity and support.

On 4^th November 2008 through Gandhigiri Hijras and sexual minorities visited important police stations in Bengaluru and gave flowers, leaflets, reports and information on sexual minorities to the police, to sensitise them on their issues. They assured their support to sexual minorities. For a few people’s fault in the community punishing entire community is wrong and cannot brand a community as criminals. They stated this clearly to the police. More than 70 police stations visited by sexual minorities.

On 3^rd November 2008 CSMR distributed more than one lakh leaflets about this issue all over Bangalore in 35 locations. After reading the leaflets many people have come farward to support the struggle.

In the month of November 2008 groups from different parts of India like Karnataka (Bangalore Urban, Anekal, Hubli, Ramanagar,Dharwad) on 7^th Nov.08, Delhi on 7^th Nov.08 , Mumbai on 13^th Nov.08, Kolkatta on 9^th Nov 08, Calicut, Hyderabad(Not confirmed) Chennai on 14^th Nov.08, are organising protests as National day of solidarity action condemning the police brutal violence on sexuality minorities.

DATE	TIMING	EVENT
06 Nov	5PM to 7PM	Women in Black in Banashankari BDA Complex Area
07 Nov	11.00 pm to 1.00 pm	Public Rally and Public Meeting

We request you to kindly pubish this note in your papers and support us in the programmes of the campaign.

For further information contact :- Sumathi – 9845165143, Lakshmi: 9845113792 & Gurukiran: 9880365692.

In Solidarity

Revathi

Director (Sangama)

on behalf of CSMR