HAF is sponsoring a traveling speaker series in the U.S. featuring Waytha Moorthy, Malaysian Human Rights activist, lawyer, and founder of Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF). In November 2007, HINDRAF organised a mammoth rally of 50,000 Hindus and ethnic Indians in peaceful protest against the Malaysian government for its mistreatment and marginalization of Indians. The Malaysian security forces responded brutally, and Waytha Moorthy was jailed, along with hundreds of other protesters. He has been living in exile in London since the Malaysian government revoked his passport. Though HINDRAF was banned, it continues to raise various human rights issues including calling for the end to demolitions of Hindu temples, advocating for the rights of Hindu mothers and fathers to raise their children as Hindus when one of the parents converts to Islam, advocating for educational rights, jobs and economic opportunities for Malaysian Hindus because Malaysia's “bhumiputara” policies favor the Muslim Malay majority, and an end to police brutality against Hindus.
These special events are free and open to all. Don't miss out!
Friday, April 1 - Atlanta, GA
Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm (includes dinner)
Location: Ashiyanna Hall, Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071
Local Organizers: India Awareness Foundation
Local Contact: Dhiru Shah (siaram at aol.com or 678-612-1661)
Saturday, April 2 - Bay Area, CA
Time: 2:30 - 4:30pm
Location: Shreemaya Krishnadham Cultural and Community Center (SKD) at the Bay Area Vaishnava Parivar Mandir (http://bayvp.org), 25 Corning Ave, Milpitas, CA 95035
Panelists:
Samir Kalra, former HAF Human Rights Coordinator & Bay Area Working Group member
Jeevan Zutshi, Founder, Indo-American Community Federation (IACF-USA)
Local Contacts: Dr. Hema Patel (hp_dds at yahoo.com or 510-299-3404); Malini Kumar (kumarmalini at gmail.com or 951-491-4722)
Sunday, April 3 - Houston, TX
Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm
Location: India House, 8888 West Bellfort St, Houston, TX 77031
Local Organizers: Hindus of Greater Houston
Local Contacts: Vijay Pallod (vkpallod at gmail.com or 713-562-1920); Rishi Bhutada (rishi at hafsite.org or 832-797-5147); Jay Kansara (jay at hafsite.org or 512-909-7250)
Friday, April 8 - Tampa, FL
Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm (includes dinner)
Location: India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa, FL 33624 (ICC Phone: 813-264-4638)
Local Contact: Nikhil Joshi (nikhil at hafsite.org or 813-205-8069); Mekhala Sastry (sastrmek at gmail.com or 813-495-7868); Nainan Desai (uc9n9n at gmail.com or 813-245-8417)
Saturday, April 9 - Boston, MA
Time: 4:00 - 6:00pm
Location: MIT, Room 4-149, Cambridge, MA 02139
Local Contact: Abhaya Asthana (abhayaji at gmail.com or 508-875-0432)
Sunday, April 10 - New York/New Jersey
Time: 4:00 - 6:00pm
Location: Rutgers University, Center Hall, Busch Campus Student Center, 604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Local Contact: Brahm Om Sharma (bhramomsharma at gmail.com or 646-246-8950)
