The Bay Area residents, consisting of the Indian communities or resident of South Asian descent, were joined by fellow NRI citizens as well as Americans who were keen on protesting for the issue from the Central Valley and greater Sacramento area to protest, show posters, wave flags, and chant protest slogans. A caravan took around protesters near the port of Oakland who were protesting in the name of farmers to show support while antagonizing India’s regulatory laws which involves a majority intervention of corporate into the agricultural sector which tampers with the farmers’ revenues, decreasing them in the future. The protest took place from morning till 7pm in the evening.
Since a few months, going on for an stressful days, thousands of farmers in India have poured into the Indian capital of New Delhi. Many farmers have been arrested, detained, injured or fired from their jobs for participating in the protest for their rights. Indians residing in other countries were persistent on showing their support by doing peaceful protests in the current countries they live in apart from India.
A large group of protesters lined the sidewalks of Middle Harbor Road, protesting in the name of farmers by screaming out slogans with signs that read “Shame on the Indian government!” and “We are farmers, not terrorists,”. The demonstrators made it a peaceful protest but still loud enough to contribute to the internal rage and intensity that the farmers in India will be feeling.
To seem equally objective, some protesters brought in slogans supporting farmers by chanting slogans in their name while some were actively and loudly criticizing the Modi Government for not supporting one of the most important occupations and the foundation of the country. If the laws are fully implemented, farmers can lose their price incentives and not get paid enough, sending in all their hard worked wages to corporate companies and private organizations who are now involved with the agriculture sector.
Although the protest was mostly organized by The Sikh Coalition, word of Saturday’s demonstration was shared widely on social media. Indians from all religions and communities also participated in the event. Some of the protesters were Americans residing in the Bay Area to show support for Indian farmers.
The Indian citizens from India and around the globe feel it is their responsibility to help farmers receive their basic rights and have their voice and opinion heard who are now currently facing troubles with the Modi government.
By Meena Atmakuri
