Thousands of Tamil Canadians gathered at Queen’s Park on July 25, 2009 to remember Black July and to thank Canada for saving thousands fleeing persecution. The CTC-organized event featured many speakers, including Ontario Deputy Premier and Toronto Centre MPP George Smitherman and Trinity-Spadina Member of Parliament Olivia Chow. 
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Representatives from a variety of organizations attended, from Amnesty International to the Urban Alliance on Race Relations to the United Church of Canada. Many speakers touched on the current humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and the internment of nearly 300,000 civilians in camps. Sri Lanka ’s suppression of the free media and aid organizations were also discussed. To make the case to Sri Lanka that it is not good business to illegally intern 300,000 civilians against their will, the speakers emphasized the importance of boycotting Sri Lanka products.
Black July marks one of the darkest periods in Tamil history. Armed with knives, machetes, bats and voting lists, mobs searched, attacked and killed Tamils. Thousands of homes and businesses were looted and burned. For many of the attendees, the events of that day are seared in their minds as is the love for Canada for saving their lives. Photos from Black July Remembrance Event in Toronto: July 25, 2009 |
