Media Coverage 8 NOV 2008 (Kumbakonam)

Media Coverage - 8 NOV 2008

Media Coverage - 6 NOV 2008

Press Release - 7 NOV 2008 (Kozhikkode @ Calicut, Kerala)

KOZHIKKODE (CALICUT, KERALA) RALLY

7TH NOVEMBER, 2008

OVER 100 SEXUALITY MINORITIES STAGED A RALLY IN KOZHIKKODE, KERALA, PROTESTING OVER THE BRUTALITY BEING UNLEASHED ON THE SEXUALITY MINORITIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN BANGALORE, AND EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY TO THE VICTIMS OF POLICE TORTURE IN THEIR FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS , HOLDING PLACARDS AND BANNERS AND RAISING SLOGANS FOR THE CAUSE OF THE SEXUALITY MINORITIES , STAGED A 40- MINUTES RALLY BEFORE THE RALLY CULMINATED AT MANANCHIRA GROUND, WHERE THE RALLY MERGED INTO THE CROWD OF GENERAL PUBLIC, NUMBERING OVER 300, ALREADY GATHERED.
LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ADDRESSED THE GATHERING . LATER THE CROWD GATHERED LIT CANDLE LIGHTS EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY TO THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
THE RALLY AND LIGHTING OF CANDLES WAS ORGANIZED BY FOUNDATION FOR INTEGRATED RESEARCH IN MENTAL HEALTH(firm) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CBOs IN NORTH KERALA.
THE PROGRAMME STARTED BY 4.30 PM ENDED BY 6.45.PM.

Photos 7 NOV 2008 (Kumbakonam)

Photo 7 NOV 2008 (Calicut)

Photos - 7 NOV 2008

Press Release - 7 NOV 2008 (National Day of Action)

Press Release

07^th Nov 2008

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: National Day of Action against physical and sexual assault of human rights defenders by Banashankari Police

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights and its allies across India have observed today as the National Day of Action in many cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Calicut (Kerala), Dharwad, Ramnagara, Dhoddaballapura, Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) by holding various public actions including public rallies, public meetings, public demonstrations, candlelight protests etc.. Sexual minorities and their supporters have raised the united voice against the brutal violence by Banashankari Police.

Bengaluru also ended its week of action today through the public rally from Townhall to Bannappa Park. The rally attened by around 500 sexual minorities and human rights defenders was held from 11am to 12 noon. An overwhelming number of activists who had gathered for the rally were hijras who expressed their anger by shouted slogans against the police violence on sexual minorities and human rights defenders. Some of the slogans include “Stop sexual abuse in Police Stations”, “Dissmiss ACP H. T. Ramesh”, “Dismiss Police Inspector Shivashankaramurthi”, “Banashankari police are goonda police”, “Banashankari police – violators of human rights”, “Condemn police violence on hijras and human rights activists”, “Condemn police torture” and ” Dismiss guilty police”. The rally ended at the Bannappa Park with movement songs.

Following programs were held in diffrent cities today:

1. Delhi 11am to 1pm Public Protest in front of Karnataka Bhavan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri. A memorandum submitted to the resident commisisoner

2. Calicut 4pm to 6pm Public Rally from PM Taj Road to Mananchira Square, Candlelight demonstration at Kidson Corner

3. Dharwad 11am to 1pm Public Rally from Dharwad Bus Stand to District Commissioner’s Office. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

4. Ramnagara 10am to 12pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

5. Kumbakonam 5pm to 6pm Dharna at Gandhi Park

6. Dhoddaballapura 11am to 1pm Public Demonstartion at Kanakapura Busstand Circle. A memorandum submitted to the District Commissioner

7. Hyderabad 10am to 6pm Distribution of leaflets across twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad

The campaign is meeting soon to chalkout the future plans to pressurize the government for its demands.

For more information contact: Lakshmi-9845113792, Gurukiran-9880365692

Yours faithfully

Revathi A.

for CSMR

Press Release - 6 NOV 2008 (Women in Black)

Press Release

06^th Nov 2008

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: Women In Black 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) have organised a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defenders by the Banashankari police personnel on 20^th November 2008.

On November 6, around 300 human rights activists held a Women in Black vigil at the BDA Shopping Complex in Banashankari. Dressed in black, standing in silence with placards and candles in their hands they drew attention to this barbaric act of violence against hijras and human rights defenders perpetrated by the police. This action drew its inspiration from the global Women in Black movement that stands in silent protest against all acts of violence and wars against women in different countries and cultures. The Women in Black actions in India were initiated in Bangalore at the time of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 to protest against the increasing politics of fundamentalism and communalism within the country.

CSMR sent the Memorundam letters to Prime minister, Chief minister of Karnataka, Minister of Law justice and Human rights karnataka, DG and IG of police karnataka, minister for child and women development of karnataka, chief justice of karnataka high court minister for home-karnataka, chair person of karnataka state human rights commiossion, minister for health &family welfare karnataka, KSAPS, Chairperson of UPA, NACO, chairperson of national comminion for women, minister of NHRC.

On 5^th November 2008 , over four hundred human rights activists got together at Banashankari BDA Complex, 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. 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.

Program outside Bangalore on NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION (7th November, 2008)

Bangalore - Public Rally and Public Meeting

Delhi - Dharna

Calicut - Public Rally

Hubli-Dharwad

Ramanagar - Dharna

Doddaballapura - Dharna

Hyderabad/ Secunderabad

Kumbakonam - Dharna

Programs will also be held in Kolkatta (9th November), Mumbai (13th November) and Chennai (14th November)

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

Photos - 6 NOV 2008 (Women in Black)

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

Photos - 5 NOV 2008 (Human Chain)

Media Coverage - 5 NOV 2008

Press Release - 4 NOV 2008 (Hijras give flowers to Police)

04th Nov 2008, Bengaluru

Dear Madam/Sir,

Sub: Through Gandhigiri sexual minorities and hijras distribute flowers to police.

Campaign for Sexworkers and Sexual Minorities Rights have organised a week long protest against the brutal violence on human rights defender by the Banashankari police personnel on 20th November 2008.

On 4th November 2008 through Gandhigiri Hijras and sexual minorities visited important police stations across Bengaluru and gave flowers, leaflets, reports and information on sexual minorities to the police, to sensitise them on their issues. Most of the police people were happy to receive flowers and information from sexual minorities. They assured their support to sexual minorities and said that they had to take this action due to the complaints they received. To this sexual minorities responded saying the guilty should be punished whether they are sexual minorities or genaral public. 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. Enclosed is the list of police stations visited by sexual minorities.

On 3rd November 2008 CSMR distributed more than one lakh leaflets about this issue all over Bangalore in 35 locations. Leafletting was done by sexual minorities and human rights activists to gain support from the general public by speaking with them one to one. After reading the leaflets many people have come farward to support the struggle including Auto Driver’s union, well known advocate Sunil and Mr. Mohan from an Ad company. Different people expressed that hijras should not be marginalised and left at the fringes of the society. He openly expressed his solidarity to our struggle.

On 2nd November 2008 Hijras and sexual minorities held community meetings in 8 locations of Bangalore and discussed in detail the blatant human rights violations perpetrated by the police of Banashankari station on the human rights defenders. They said in this hour of crisis they would come together strongly and protest the human rights violations by creating public awareness about sexual minority community.

On November 1st 2008 on the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, a medical camp was organized in Kamalanagar Slum from 10.30am to 4.30 pm. In the medical camp there were 4 doctors, 5 nurses, 2 lab technicians ( sexual minorities) and 22 hijra social workers who rendered service. Society looks down upon hijras and sexual minorities as criminals, immoral, insensitive, inferior, rude etc. Through this camp they proved how sensitive and caring they are. The people who had come to the medical camp voiced that such programmes should be conducted regularly and were highly appriciative of this effort.

On 7th November 2008 groups from different cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Calicut, Hyderabad, Chennai etc are organising protests acrooss India as part of National day of Action condemning the police brutal violence on sexuality minorities.

Future events:
05 Nov, 5.30PM to 6.30PM - Human Chain near Mahatma Gandhi Statue, M.G Road, Bengaluru
06 Nov, 5PM to 7PM - Women in Black near Banashankari BDA Complex, Bengaluru
07 Nov, 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm - Public Rally and Public Meeting

We request you to kindly pubish this information in your publication and support our campaign.

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

In Solidarity


Revathi
Director (Sangama)
on behalf of CSMR

List of police stations visited by sexual minorities on 4th November 2008 through Gandhigiri

1. City Police Commissioner's Office
2. ACP, DCP, SP (Bangalore), IGP Prison
3. Beggars Colony
4. Jayanagar Police Station
5. Ashok Nagar Police Station
6. Banashankari Police Station
7. Basavanagudi Police Station
8. Chikkapete Police Station
9. City Market Police Station
10. Commercial Street Police station
11. Girinagara Police Station
12. Upparpete Police Station
13. Hebbal Police Station
14. J.C.Nagar Police Station
15. J.P.Nagar Police Station
16. Kalasipalya Police Station
17. Koramangala Police Station
18. Ulsoor Gate Police Station
19. Madivala Police Station
20. Magadi Police Station
21. Malleshwaram Police Station
22. Peenya Police Station
23. Rajajinagar Police Station
24. R.T.Nagar
25. Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station
26. K.R.Puram
27. Mico Layout Police Station
28. K.R.Puram Police Station
29. Frazer Town Police Station
30. Jalahalli Police Station
31. Shivajinagar Police Station
32. KSRTC Out post Police Station
33. Electronic City Police Station
34. Yalahanka Police Station
35. Wilson Garden Police Station
36. Byyappanahalli Police Station
37. Shrinagar Police station
38. Sanjay Nagar Police station
39. Vivek Nagar Police station
40. Yashwanthpur Police station

Photos - 4 NOV 2008 (Hijras give flowers to Police)