Gurpreet Singh: Dump Trump rally held by South Asian activists in Surrey

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      Braving cold weather more than a dozen South Asian activists came together to protest Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Surrey organized by Radical Desi.

      The participants carried placards in Holland Park that read “Dump Trump” and “Stop Hate”. 

      The speakers were unanimous in their criticism of Trump and his racist and sexist views. The organizers wanted to send a powerful message to right-wing Hindu groups, such as Republican Hindu Coalition and Hindu Sena, which have been openly supporting Trump for his anti-Muslim rhetoric.  

      Among the speakers was NDP MLA Sue Hammell (Surrey-Green Timbers), who was the only elected official present at the event. She came to show her solidarity with the South Asians against Trump.

      NDP MLA Sue Hammell was the only elected official who attended the Dump Trump rally.
      Gurpreet Singh

      Another speaker was social justice activist and independent broadcaster Imtiaz Popat, who had organized two earlier demonstrations outside Trump tower in Vancouver.

      The speakers also included AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) support group leader Tarlochan Singh Sohal, Canadian Union of Public Employees representative Rachna Singh, and former Student Federation of India activist Hardev Singh. 

      Later, the participants marched to King George Highway where passing motorists honked in support of the rally.

      The founders of Radical Desi wanted to send a message to right-wing Hindu groups in the U.S. that have endorsed Donald Trump.
      Gurpreet Singh is a Georgia Straight contributor and a founder of Radical Desi. He's working on a book tentatively titled Canada's 9/11: Lessons from the Air India Bombings.

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