(ST. LOUIS, MO, 8/23/2019) – On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MO) will hold a march in the Delmar Loop to oppose the Indian government's renewed oppression of Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region of India.

WHAT: St. Louis March for Kashmir

WHERE: 6655 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 25, 5-7 p.m.

CONTACT: CAIR-Missouri Executive Director Faizan Syed, (314)330-2946, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/2101838733441860/

Earlier this month, India's far-right government cancelled Kashmir's semi-autonomous legal status and imposed martial law on millions of Kashmiris, cutting off the internet, banning reporters, setting a curfew, and opening fire on protesters. 

SEE: India-Administered Kashmir Cut Off From World

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/indian-administered-kashmir-cut-world-190808154823718.html

“India’s brutality in the region must end and the Kashmiri people must be given the opportunity to choose their future,” said Faizan Syed, executive director of CAIR-MO. “Thousands of St. Louisans are from South Asia and we are all concerned by these actions that are increasing tensions between two nuclear powers. Our nation must take action to help the people of Kashmir.”

Rally participants plan to call on the United States to stand against India's occupation of Kashmir and demand the immediate restoration of mobile and landlines in the region, an end to the curfew and the complete demilitarization of the region. Letters will be collected that will be sent to elected officials. The program will include a march down Delmar Loop as well as presentations by local community activists.

Earlier this week, CAIR’s New Jersey chapter issued a public letter to the Indian Consul General condemning that nation’s actions in Kashmir and its abuses of Indian Muslims and declined an invitation to meet with consulate officials.

SEE: CAIR-New Jersey Issues Letter Condemning Siege of Kashmir After Declining Invitation to Meet with Indian Consulate Officials

https://www.cair.com/cair_new_jersey_issues_letter_condemning_siege_of_kashmir_after_declining_invitation_to_meet_with_indian_consulate_officials

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

END

CONTACT: CAIR-MO Executive Director Faizan Syed, 314-403-3626, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Calling all peoples of faiths conscience. It's time that we stand-up and defend the peoples of Kashmir from India's brutal violence and crackdown.

Join us for the STL March to Free Kashmir this Sunday, Aug. 25th in the Delmar Loop. We will hold a rally in the common space next to the U-City Farmers Market.

JOIN THE PROTEST ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/2101838733441860/

After the rally which will include speeches we will march up and down Delmar Loop and conclude at the same location.

We will also be collecting signatures for letters that we will send to our elected officials and sharing the telephone numbers of officials to call. Below are the details of what's going on in Kashmir and why we are protesting.

I would like to draw your attention to a grave humanitarian crisis and an abrogation of special protections for the indigenous people in the Indian-occupied province of Kashmir. As my representative in the United States Congress I urge you, along with your Washington colleagues, to issue a statement condemning the armed occupation of Kashmir and to call on Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to take steps to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens, residents, and their families who are currently in the region.

As a Missourian who has been following the occupation and humanitarian crisis, I would like to highlight my concern about events unfolding in Indian-administered Kashmir, the world’s heaviest militarized zone, where the two nuclear-armed nations of India and Pakistan are on the brink of conflict.

Using a false pretext of terrorist attacks backed by falsified televised evidence, the Indian government has enforced a total lock-down in Kashmir. All communication has been severed, including cellphone, internet, and landline connectivity. Reportedly 800 people have been detained under the Public Safety Act, many of them political leaders who have been transported to secret jails in India.

The extreme nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in India has unilaterally bifurcated the disputed region and illegally scrapped the special provisions in the Indian Constitution that protect the indigenous people in the region. There are gross human rights violations taking place, and without any means of communication, it has been impossible to ensure that the sick and hospitalized are receiving medicine, that infants are receiving nourishment, and that the six million individuals under lockdown and curfew are receiving food. Shops and grocery stores have been shut down and religious freedoms are being curtailed as armed forces have shuttered mosques where people congregate to worship.

Indian law enforcement agencies have total immunity and are protected by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which has enabled them to escape prosecution for human rights abuses well documented by the United Nation’s Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.

Given the unilateral and irresponsible actions of the Indian state, mass protests are likely. You have a responsibility to raise awareness about this armed occupation and humanitarian crisis. I urge you to ensure the Indian government’s adherence to the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV), and to do everything in your power to end the occupation and protect Kashmiri civilians from further harm. I implore you to call on Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to seek a negotiated settlement of the dispute and protect the human rights of civilians in the region. It is imperative that Indian authorities recognize that the conflict in Kashmir can only be resolved by peaceful means and according to the wishes of Kashmiris.

Join the St. Louis rally to stand in solidarity with the millions of Uyghur Muslims living in East Turkestan (Xinjiang province of China).

Over a million Uyghurs are in China's concentration camps. They are forced to eat pork, drink alcohol, not allowed to fast in Ramadan, wear traditional clothing or speak their language. Many women are forced to marry Han Chinese men and children are forcefully taken from their parents into forced adoptions.

We are going to rally in front of the Arch along with over three dozen other cities who are going to be protesting on the same day in a global protest against the persecution of the Uyghurs in China.

We will gather in front of the Old Court House facing the Arch. There we will hold signs, talk to people and listen to those impacted.

We are excited that several members of the local St. Louis Uyghur Muslim population will be in attendance and speak at the march.

Any questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Muslim ladies are invited for the 1st democratic primary debates of the 2020 election. Have deep discussions on the policy dictating this upcoming election session. All ages and political viewpoints welcome.

Join the Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/371283333746523/

Light refreshments will be served along with fun henna art!
Guests should arrive at 7:30 P.M.

1st Debates begin @ 8PM
Candidates on stage night one:
Warren, O’Rourke, Booker, Klobuchar, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney.

2nd Debate is on June 27th @ 8PM
Biden will take the stage alongside Sanders; California Sen. Kamala Harris; South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand; Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet; former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper; California Rep. Eric Swalwell; entrepreneur Andrew Yang and self-help author Marianne Williamson.

Read more about the debates:
https://time.com/5608626/first-2020-democratic-debate-latest-news/