
It was perhaps the largest mobilisation of the diaspora in recent years.
In California an estimated 10,000 people showed up across different cities for the 'Kisan rally' - including Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Union City. Smaller protests also took place in other US cities.
In Canada, rallies were held in Surrey, Calgary, Edmonton, Brampton and Vancouver.
In London, a large rally started from West London and made its way to the High Commission of India building in the centre of the city. PIctures and videos below.
California
Some more shots from the #CAKisaanRally yesterday. ਚà¨à©‚ਲਦੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਰਹੇ ! #FarmersProtest #KisaanMajdoorEktaJindabaad pic.twitter.com/iVfjNC04L5
— anokh (@anokhtree) December 7, 2020
ਤੈਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਲੀਠSAN FRANCISCO ਦਾ ਇਕੱà¨
— ਮਨਪà©à¨°à©€à¨¤ (@kaurmnprt) December 7, 2020
ਪà©à¨°à©‡à¨¸à¨¼à¨¾à¨¨ ਕਰੂਗਾ
ਪਰ
ਫ਼ਸਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਫ਼ੈਸਲੇ
ਕਿਸਾਨ ਕਰੂਗਾ pic.twitter.com/FDAyQPS64M
Northern California showed up #kisaanektaazindabaad pic.twitter.com/sSjbuBc1H0
— Sahibjit Singh (@reelsahib) December 6, 2020
At one point the Bay Area rally was so large that traffic backed up for miles across.
Some shots from today’s rally in #Oakland & #SanFrancisco where we shut down the #BayBridge Thanks to orgs like @JakaraMovement that move the panth forward. Once in a lifetime experience and I swelled with pride throughout. We may be far but we stand with the kaum 🌾💪ðŸ½ðŸšœ pic.twitter.com/fD8SX8G3Je
— harpreet sandhu samra (@harpreetssamra) December 6, 2020
The CA rally was organised by the grassroots organisation Jakara Movement.
From the youngest of the Panth to the elders of the Panth, the spirit of the Guru and the Sangarsh is alive and well in the West.
— Jakara Movement (@JakaraMovement) December 7, 2020
Yesterday, the California Sangat made history. The largest protest by Sikh Punjabis in the States took place yesterday in the Bay Area. pic.twitter.com/a8nRmM0LcO
London
Protests also took place in London outside the Indian High Commission on Saturday in London. The rally had started in West London and made its way to central London over the course of the afternoon.
Large crowds have gathered in Central London as part of a #KisaanRally to show support for the #FarmersProtest #Standwithfarmerschallenge @SikhPA @SCUKofficial @Tractor2twitr pic.twitter.com/tJVduUVJzI
— Amrit Singh Cheema (@ascheema) December 6, 2020
Protestors are now leaving the high commission of India. This has been one of the biggest protests held here in the UK by British Sikhs #farmersprotest pic.twitter.com/GSnlg1TvtS
— Monika Plaha (@monikaplaha) December 6, 2020
Canada
Demonstrators have been hitting the streets of #Surrey nightly (Scott Rd and 72) to show support for farmers protesting in India. Here’s whats happening tonight. Looks like a pretty large turnout for a Sunday night. (Pics from social) #KisaanRally pic.twitter.com/6XcfFP4Si4
— SimRan (@SimranRoohi) December 7, 2020
Even the cold weather in Canada can't stop us from showing our solidarity and support with our brothers sisters and elders sitting on the borders of Dehli. #IStandWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/Mi1eGcHpWu
— Prasanjit Singh (@prasanjitsingh_) December 6, 2020
Today our Calgary Community came together to have peaceful vehicle rally to support our Farmers. Organizers did a great job and the turnout has been amazing. Our Community sends a strong message of Love and Support to our Farmers... #punjabifarmers #punjabfarmersprotest pic.twitter.com/9GhKZMsNem
— Dashmesh Culture Centre (@DashmeshC) December 6, 2020
Joined @gurpartapstoor on @CBCToronto to speak about #DelhiChalo #FarmerProtest & why Sikh Canadians have taken to the streets here.
— Jaskaran Singh Sandhu (@JaskaranSandhu_) December 5, 2020
We're concerned for the safety of our loved ones & their right to peaceful protest in a country that's no stranger to state sponsored violence. pic.twitter.com/DWF2XyHh1C
Why are protests taking place?
The Indian government says their aim is to help farmers by reforming the agricultural sector. The bill would 'cut out the middleman' ('mandis') by allowing farmers to sell directly to corporations, and would bring in more corporate investment.
But farmers say the impact would be devastating. The vast majority of farmers in Panjab and neighbouring state Haryana are small landowners, and rely on the MSP (minimum support price) to survive. The new bill does away with that system and puts farmers at the mercy of big corporations, who could drive the 'mandis' out of business by undercutting them one year, and set their own prices next year. It would put already indebted farmers at the mercy of large corporations. Even the EU doesn't do that.
The reforms would also allow companies to hoard grains, which they aren't currently allowed to do. Allowing big companies to create large stockpiles would also make it easier for them to artificially control prices and drive small farmers out of business, forcing them to sell their land.
---
Top picture taken by Mandeep Banga


Your number will never be shared.

Follow @barfi_culture

