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Southern Calif. Solidarity with Farmers Rally

Email from a friend: All of you are really busy and it is COVID-19 times as well. Many of you in California have been receiving the Pfizer vaccine that just arrived here last week as you are on the front lines of taking care of those in hospitals. Second semester just ended and I have been following the Protests by Farmers who have been camping in the cold on Delhi's Borders. The songs, the poetry, the stories that are unfolding including the unpacking of the Disputed Laws that have stirred this uprising have absorbed me. We are far away, yet due to technology we are connected in ways never possible before-not even during the 1980’s. I have been reading up on the research articles, listening to news reports from various channels and opposing views, you tube interviews of farmers from Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and even Gujarat (today), viewpoints from Bengal and trying to get to the facts. I must say that I have enjoyed listening to a newly created song on the protest in Haryanvi since I have memories of interactions with the farmers of Haryana during the monthly visits to Kharkhoda, near Sonepat. A couple of evenings ago, we attended a Live session organized by the Southern California Sikh Women for talking to a Woman Filmmaker, Film Director, Film Writer and Educator (a daughter of Farmers) who is in the midst of the Farmers. on the Singhu and Tikri Borders of Delhi. She gave us a first hand eye witness account of things on “Ground Zero.” The manner in which this Peaceful Protest is being conducted in the cold and in COVID-19 Times is an unprecedented example of a protest in Human History- not just in the sheer size of numbers but the manner in which the farmers from different regions are cooperating seamlessly while taking care of each other's needs and the needs of those in the juggies jhomparies (slum areas around Delhi). For example, in the live session, we learned that children from the slums have been getting langar at the Singhu Border. Volunteer Women Educators have been getting those children engaged in learning instead of letting them shout slogans. We were amazed at their positivity. They want to conserve their energy and work on all the tasks geared towards the attainment of their goals in a peaceful manner. The Farmers have created their own news coverage media “TrolleyTimes for their updates. They have also created their own IT Cell “ Kisanektamorcha.”. Do follow them on social media. It is History being made and you have the unique opportunity to take part in it. The first step we can take is to sign this petition. One lakh signatures are needed by December 27th. Today, we had our biggest protest rally in Southern California although we have had other rallies in Riverside, Beverly Hills Area, Fairfax District, Buena Park during the past few weekends. It was very energetic and upbeat mirroring the spirit of Chardi Kala. Everyone was very cordial, respectful and sent a positive message to our farmer families in India. Following CDC Guidelines we stayed in our car and had our masks with us. It was extremely well organized given that they only had two days to plan it. Gurdwaras Walnut, Buena Park and Riverside did Sewa with Packed Langar, observing COVID-19 Guidelines. The manner in which the volunteers guided the traffic was exemplary making sure that local residents had access to the road. Please open the link for the White House petition and autograph it. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/we-people-request-federal-government-expose-truth-behind-new-farmer-laws-india-protect-human-rights Happy Holidays and a Very Happy upcoming 2021. Stay Safe. Love, and hugs, Yours truly, Witnessing History Unfold
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