There were two events held to commemorate the the 25th anniversary of Black July. 'Forum for Life' held a workshop during the day on the theme 'Is War the Solution' and then a cultural in the evening. During the event there were a number of activities such as distribution of handbills, street drama, a picket line, singing of peace songs and everything culminated with the Lighting of Candles in front of the Fort Railway Station.
About 100 participated in the workshop. The purpose was to study how we could together develop a strategy to face suppression and war.
'The Christian Solidarity Movement' held an ecumenical service on the same day at the Philip Neri's Church at 3.30p.m. and then all joined the cultural event at the Fort Railway Station at 4.45 p.m. The feed back that I got was that the prayer service has been very inspirational.
When all joined the cultural event in front of the railway station a picket was held opposing war, suppression of democratic freedom and disappearances. Of course there were a few at the scene who expressed their opposition to what was happening there. We were happy that those few individuals stopped with that and did not create any disturbance there.
The cultural event ended with the lighting of candles. It symbolized the determination of the participants to continue the struggle to end the war and all suppressions and restore democratic freedom in the country.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
25th Anniversary of Black July
The 25th anniversary of the organized attack on Tamils in 1983 falls on this year. It is true that the Black July is now history. But, it is also true that the memories of those violent days are still haunting in us and specially the Tamils, who suffered violence during those days and now living here and outside the country. Such memories are not easily forgotten.
The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) believes that it is an occasion to educate ourselves particularly in the present context of the country where disappearances, abductions, killings, war and rising cost of living on the fact that Black July continues in Sri Lanka in those forms. Every Christian is invited to play a prophetic role in defending the sacredness of life.
It is being arranged to have an ecumenical service at the Philip Neris's Church on the 23rd of July in the afternoon and then a 'cultural" event in front of the railway station, which will be organized by the 'Forum for Life'. If the financial constraints can be overcome withing the next few days, the cultural event is planned to be held from morning. There will be a poster and photo exhibition, singing of peace songs, street dramas and so on.
We invite friends and volunteers to contribute financially and otherwise to make this event a success.
The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) believes that it is an occasion to educate ourselves particularly in the present context of the country where disappearances, abductions, killings, war and rising cost of living on the fact that Black July continues in Sri Lanka in those forms. Every Christian is invited to play a prophetic role in defending the sacredness of life.
It is being arranged to have an ecumenical service at the Philip Neris's Church on the 23rd of July in the afternoon and then a 'cultural" event in front of the railway station, which will be organized by the 'Forum for Life'. If the financial constraints can be overcome withing the next few days, the cultural event is planned to be held from morning. There will be a poster and photo exhibition, singing of peace songs, street dramas and so on.
We invite friends and volunteers to contribute financially and otherwise to make this event a success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)