Digital advertising trucks in two US cities flash Kashmir freedom messages
NEW YORK, The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF), a Washington-based advocacy body, rented digital advertising trucks — one in New York and other in Washington — displaying sharp messages about Indian atrocities in Kashmir and demanding an end to the disputed state’s occupation
The electronic screens on the trucks carry messages such as: “Kashmir under Indian siege: Knocking at world Conscience”, “Indian occupied Kashmir: World’s most militarized zone,” “Stop Genocide in Kashmir, “End Indian Colonization of Kashmir”, “India criminalizes press freedom in Kashmir”, “Indian Army Out, Out”, “Hold India accountable for war crimes in Kashmir”, and “Freedom for all, freedom for Kashmir”
The trucks appeared on the two cities’ roads on Oct. 27, the darkest day in Kashmir’s history when India sent in its troops in 1947 to occupy the state.
Digital advertising trucks are considered to be the most effective way to spread a message as the brightly lit words on the screens catch attention of the people walking on the streets and those coming in and out of government and commercial buildings.
“Our objective was to target the audience at the right places and we were able to control the location where most of the people were able to notice our messages aimed at promoting the cause of Kashmir”, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary-General of the forum told media.
The route of digital truck in Washington included: All federal buildings, including the State Department; the Capitol Hill; Library of Congress; The Washington Monument; The White House; various Museums; Lincoln Memorial; Washington National Cathedral; the Indian Embassy; the World Bank and IMF.
The forum also held a protest in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington on Wednesday to mark the Black Day.
In New York, the digital advertising truck went round and round the United Nations headquarters, Indian Mission; Indian Consulate; Times Square; Freedom Tower;
among other locations.
The forum also had a protest in New York along with Kashmir Mission USA at Times Square. (APP/ift).
Marking ‘Day of Occupation’, protestors urge Biden Administration to bring parties to negotiating table.
Washington, DC.
The protestors today deplored India’s continuing illegal occupation of Kashmir and hideous human rights violations which have made Kashmir the hell for its inhabitants. In conjunction with all indigenous and diaspora Kashmiris around the world, the Kashmiri Americans along with friends of Kashmir staged a demonstration in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC to observe October 27 as a Day of Mourning, marking the 75th Anniversary of Indian invasion and subsequent occupation of Kashmir in defiance of international agreements.
Waving banners, protestors were shouting slogans: India: Stop Terrorism in Kashmir; Freedom for all, freedom for Kashmir; Stop Killing Kashmiris; End the Siege; Wake Up, Wake Up: UN Wake Up; Indian forces out of Kashmir; and Self-determination for Kashmiris.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary-General of World Kashmir Awareness Forum mentioned that India had invaded Kashmir on the pretext of a fraudulent Instrument of Accession, a claim that British scholar Alistair Lamb had proven that it was bogus. Now is the time that Biden Administration persuades both India and Pakistan to negotiate with the leadership of the people of Kashmir the final settlement of the dispute, Fai added.
Sardar Zarif Khan, main organizer of the event explain the importance of the ‘Black day’ and said that the human rights violations in Kashmir perpetrated by 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary troops with legal immunity dwarf in scale the violations that provoked international humanitarian action in Kosovo, East Timor and Southern Sudan: tens of thousands indiscriminately slaughtered and countless rapes, abductions, custodial disappearances, arbitrary detentions, arsons, and brutal suppression of peaceful political protest.
Mazhar Choughtai, renowned community leader said that Kashmiris have demonstrated that they will resist India’s colonial occupation for as long as necessary to enjoy their right to self‑determination as prescribed by international law, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and a long series of United Nations Security Council resolutions that were agreed upon by both India and Pakistan.
Saeed Khan, another community leader warned that India’s illegal military occupation of Kashmir has already sparked two wars with Pakistan, and a third could occasion a harrowing exchange of nuclear volleys between the South Asian nations
Sardar Aftab Roshen Khan said that belligerent flexing of nuclear muscles by Indian defense minister should awaken the international community to the urgency of resolving the longstanding Kashmir conflict through the international mediation.
Saleem Qadri, representative of Masarat Aalam underscored that a just and lasting settlement of the dispute is possible only through tripartite negotiations between the Governments of India and Pakistan and the legitimate leadership of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sardar Zubair khan said that the people of Kashmir are constantly reminded of the fact that it was in 1948 & 1949 that the United Nations adopted resolutions that clearly states that the people of Kashmir have the right to determine their own future through a free and impartial vote. The people of Kashmir ask the United Nations to follow through on its commitment given to the people of Kashmir.
Munir Sahi expressed his solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir and said that it was our responsibility to knock the door of our elected representatives to help end the carnage in Kashmir
Malik Hamid, President, Pakistan American Link said that the Indian army was involved in serious crimes. They open fire on unarmed civilians at their will because they have been given immunity under draconian laws, like, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The United Nations demanded an enquiry of commission into these war crimes, but India refused.
Others who spoke included:
Moazzam Aftab
Akram Butt
Zulfiqar Halepoto
Gohar Khan
Mohammad Akbar
Shoaib Irsahd
Sardar Tariq Khan
Sardar Shakil Khan
Hayat Khan
Yamin Khan
Raza Khan
The protest ended by praying for the martyrs of Kashmir and those who died in other conflict areas.