So far, Sri Lankan demonstration remains off Ottawa streets
By Sun Media |
 The crowd of pro-Tamil demonstrators on Parliament Hill is growing, but so far is staying off the streets. LAURA CZEKAJ/SUN MEDIA |
The crowd of protesters on Parliament Hill reached nearly 10,000 as of noon today as Tamil Canadians called on the federal government to do more to prevent civilian deaths in Sri Lanka's bloody civil war.
Chants of "Canada stop the genocide" and "Take action now" echoed off the surrounding downtown buildings as busloads of Tamils converged on the Hill from Toronto, Montreal and other locales. The new arrivals swelled the ranks of an ongoing protest on the Hill, waving placards and black flags.
The flags replaced the red and gold flags of the banned Tamil Tiger rebel fighters that have been hoisted by protesters since the start of the demonstration, which is now in its third week.
RCMP officers handed out pamphlets in Tamil and English explaining their presence and duties in maintaining a peaceful demonstration.
Today, organizers expected dozens of busloads from out of town. Early estimates called for up to 25,000 demonstrators. However, it seems more likely a crowd of up to 10,000 would be involved. Protest organizers also say they want to avoid Ottawa streets, and plan to stay on Parliament Hill.
RCMP and Ottawa police have set up command centres and had a heavy presence in the area.
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AVOID CORE
Motorists are advised by police to avoid the core throughout the day and to expect delays and traffic congestion. To maintain emergency vehicle access to the Hill, parking is prohibited on Bank and Kent streets north of Laurier St. and on Metcalfe St. north of Queen St.
A visible difference between today's protest and the daily gatherings over the past couple of weeks is a reduction in the number of Tamil Tiger flags. Only black flags or Canadian flags are in evidence today.
"The majority of the people are planning on keeping the flags within themselves, meaning that they will keep them in their minds and hearts," said demonstrator Senthan Nada. "It's a collective decision of the people to remove the excuses their government is using to come and address the real issue which is the killing of the innocent Tamil people."
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are considered a terrorist group by the Canadian government, a fact that has made MPs reluctant to make forays into the crowd.
Demonstrators are asking government representatives to address the crowd and pledge to take concrete action to stop the ongoing violence between the Sri Lankan government and the Tigers.
Tens of thousands of civilians have escaped the conflict zone in northeastern Sri Lanka in recent days.
More than 100,000 civilians remain trapped in the affected area.
Today's National Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony, during which Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other party leaders will speak, has been relocated to Lebreton Flats next to the Canadian War Museum.
LAURA.CZEKAJ@SUNMEDIA.CA