Sikh Americans from across the Pacific Northwest will rally in Kent and Seattle on Saturday, Dec. 26 to raise awareness about a critical human rights issue playing out in Delhi, India.
The Seattle Kisaan (Farmer) Ekta Car Rally/March begins at 11 a.m. at the accesso ShoWare Center parking lot, 625 W. James St. The rally will then go to the Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., in downtown Seattle, according to an email from the New York-based Sikh Coalition.
“Sikh Americans have been an active part of the United States for more than 125 years, and many of the half a million who reside in the United States can trace their immediate families back to one state in India: Punjab,” according to the email. “Today, the future of Punjab as an agricultural powerhouse and the livelihood of its people remains under dire threat as the Indian government is steadfast in the passing of three farm laws that will, in part, remove the Minimum Support Price (MSP) currently guaranteed to farmers by the government. Thousands of Sikh farmers who have been protesting against these unjust farm laws in India’s capital since late November have been met with violence from the police and government.”
Rallies have happened so far in at least 15 states and Washington, D.C., according to the Sikh Coalition.
“Thousands of Sikh Americans have called on their members of Congress to speak out against the Indian government’s undemocratic response,” according to the Sikh Coalition. “Saturday’s protest will add Washington’s voice to this increasingly national conversation.”
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