Boston Peace March-Jan 2002

Some 150 members of the South Asian Community, Indians – Pakistanis – Bangladeshis as well as their local American friends, demonstrated for peace at the grounds of Faneuil Hall in Boston on Saturday, January 5^th . Under the statue of Samuel Adams, one of the founding fathers of democracy, they had gathered to demand that India and Pakistan resolve their issues peacefully and defuse and de-escalate the cross border tensions.

The rally started with local South Asian groups reading brief statements condemning the belligerent and bellicose statements emanating from that region. Following these statements, several individuals’ recited poetry expressing sentiments of unity, solidarity and friendship between peoples of South Asia. The groups pointed out that Indians and Pakistanis have a common heritage, language and culture and have extended families that live in both countries. That the people of India and Pakistan once they meet on neutral ground, such as living abroad, quickly identify with each other and readily become friends. Later the group marched around Faneuil Hall singing slogans of peace and solidarity. As they marched the activists were cheered and voices of support rang out from the locals and bystanders.

The speakers pointed out that fratricidal war between the two heavily armed neighbors, and nuclear powers, will result in the death of millions of innocent civilians. Finally people gathered in friendship over hot cups of tea, generously provided by a local restaurant, and vowed to continue their efforts in pursuit of peace.

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