Tamil Youth March for Black July 2008 in Sydney

SBS Australia's account of Australian Tamil youth parade through Sydney CBD from 11:00 a.m. on Friday 25 July 2008 to highlight the continuing discrimination, abuse and murder of Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan State.

25 years ago, Tamils on the island witnessed Black July - a Sri Lankan Government backed anti-Tamil pogrom which saw over 3,000 Tamils dead and over 150,000 rendered homeless.

50 years ago, hundreds of Tamils died in the 1958 anti-Tamil riots, the first of many to follow.

60 years ago, the island gained independence and within months 33% of the island's Tamils citizens were disenfranchised and lost their right to vote.

Today, the Sri Lankan Government has withdrawn from a peace-agreement and entered into war, thousands of Tamils have 'disappeared' over last few years and Tamil journalists, aid workers, human rights activists and politicians have been assassinated.

Whilst thanking their home, Australia, for providing a safe abode, priceless education, and equal opportunities, Australian Tamil youth remember the incident that made their parents homeless and destitute overnight.

"History keeps repeating itself in Sri Lanka. Tamils are being killed and abducted on a daily basis, but the news just doesn't get as much publicity as Zimbabwe or Darfur. So we decided to make some noise about it!" said Ms Nathan, a participant.

The video is from the evening news of SBS Australia

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Tamil
• Black
• July
• Sydney