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Thanks!

Bengaluru Unites

Thanks for a successful event!

Hi All,
This is the press release for the peace protests we had across the city this afternoon. for links to picture please log onto http://picasaweb.google.com/bengaluru.unites/

Bangalore Erupts with Simultaneous Peace Protests—Thousands Rally Across City



There was tremendous response for peace protests held across the city today. This unique program of "taking the protests to the people" was organized by Dr Rajeev Gowda, Professor, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and political activist. Students and professionals came out of their colleges and work areas in a Gandhian human chain during lunchtime, such that no traffic was disrupted. Some locations included Mount Carmel College, St Joseph's Commerce, PUC, Arts & Science. The roads in these neighborhoods were filled with hundreds of people eager to demonstrate their anger and anguish against moral policing and against attacks on women. Men and women joined hands together to fight for their freedoms.

Thousands of students gathered outside their respective colleges. Vasanthnagar's main roads outside Mount Carmel were lined by human chains of more than 1500 students. The Richmond Circle area had thousands of students from St Joseph's Commerce, Arts & Science and P.U college had about 800 students. Jyothi Nivas had over 1500 students who came out and formed human chains. Dentists and doctors took time out at MS Rammaiah College and elsewhere. A spontaneous gathering of school students and senior citizens occurred at Coles Park.

Numerous NGOs came out in support of Prof. Rajeev Gowda's call.Members of Komu Sowharda Vedike and Samvada joined across the city. Most notably, in Jayanagar 4th Block, members of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled joined hands with young women with NMKRV College. Students at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media found the protests ideal material for their field reportage. Students from Jain colleges thronged central and south Bangalore. In Yelahanka, students of Shrishti School of Art and Design continued with their colourful protests. Students and faculty at IIMB came out and supported Dr Rajeev Gowda in these peace protests.

There was a website bengaluru-unites.blogspot.com which gave information to people on locations and other details on what to do. Social blogs like facebook and orkut acted as huge boosters to spread the message around. The 90088 90088 SMS service turned out to be an effective way for protestors to find the rally closest to them.

Overall, the event was a tremendous success in signaling to every citizen that they can stand up to hooligans who attempt to impose their views by force. The innovative methods used and the use of high technology including the Internet and SMS showed how citizens could come together, demonstrate their solidarity, and fight to preserve freedoms. Outpourings of support from across the world, from ex-Bangaloreans to others, have also been a highlight of this demonstration.

For more details contact: Prof. Rajeev Gowda, 98451 62171 rajeevgowda@gmail.com

Your Locations...

Thanks to the overwhelming response received the number of protest locations have been increased. Please be there to make sure your voices are heard.

To make it easy to find the nearest protest location, people can send an SMS to 90088 90088 in the following format: Where Bengaluru unites near

Here is a list of your Locations:
Kormangala: From Jyoti Nivas College to Forum Mall
Inner Ring Road: From Embassy Golf Links towards Airport Road
Bannerghatta Road: From Diary Circle towards Sagar Apollo
Electronic City: From Siemens towards Infosys main gate
Vasanthnagar: Mount Carmel College
Shanthinagar: From Divyashree Chambers towards St. Joseph's Arts and Science College
Residency Road: From St. Joseph's Commerce College towards St. Joseph's PU College
Yelahanka: Srishti School of Art and Design
K.R Puram: Garden City College
Jayanagar 4th Block: From NMKRV College towards BDA Complex
Southend Circle: Vijaya College
Whitefield: Outside SAP Labs
MS Ramaiah College and Hospital
Bagmane Tech Park
Mayata Tech Park

Bengaluru Unites

Dear Citizens of Free India,

Are you angry and disgusted with the attacks on women in Mangalore?
Are you upset that hooligans are trying to dictate what you can or cannot do?
Are you aghast that Indian culture is being misused to curb your freedom and choices?
Do you want to do something about this?
Do you want to send a message that WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!?

Then ACT NOW!

Come out of your college or office or wherever you are at 1:30 pm on Thursday, February 12, 2009

Join hands in protest
Raise slogans:
AGAINST MORAL POLICING
AGAINST ATTACKS ON WOMEN
FOR OUR FREEDOM

We will gather together without representing organizations or political parties, without disrupting traffic or normal life—we will gather as free citizens expressing our anguish about the attacks on our fundamental rights.

Freedom of Expression is enshrined in our Constitution.
Freedom to Assemble is enshrined in our Constitution.
Let’s make these freedoms come alive!
Before they disappear, right in front of our eyes.

Come, show Bengaluru and India what YOU can do!

Dr. Rajeev Gowda

(Professor, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and political activist. I am issuing this call in my personal capacity).

************************
We need volunteers to help people gather at different hubs in Bengaluru on Thursday, Feb 12. Please fill out the form by following the 'VOLUNTEER FORM' link on the right. It will help us organize these protests better.

Please write to us with your suggestions to bengaluru.unites@gmail.com

Updates on Locations, other FAQs etc. coming up shortly.

FAQs

1. Whom do I contact?
Please write to us at bengaluru.unites@gmail.com and we will get back to you.

2. Why are you having the event on a weekday?
We want to make it easier for supporters to participate in the event. Not all offices and colleges are operational during weekends. Also we do not want to disrupt your work schedule and hence the event is planned around lunch break.

3. What does ‘I want to be part of the organizing team’ mean?
By being part of the organizing team you can be responsible for one of the following:
1) Anchor the event.
2) Assist anchors during the event.
3) Spread the word and motivate people to join the event.

4. What does ‘I want to extend my support to the cause’ mean?
It means that you have agreed to support the cause by being present at a location suitable to you.

5. Have you obtained permission from the Police Department?
Necessary permissions have been obtained from the concerned authorities.

6. What are we going to do after meeting?
The idea is to form a human chain, hand in hand and sing a patriotic song ( preferably 'hum honga kameyab'). Please take pictures and videos of the event so that it can be uploated on the website.