A peace demo is set to take place in the centre of Leeds this Saturday, to highlight and show support for the victims of human rights’ violations in Burma.  The demo has been organised by GMB branch secretary and local Leeds Councillor Javaid Akhtar.

The demo will take place outside Leeds Art Gallery from 12.00 noon and has attracted an array of support. 

Speakers at the event will include Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West, Alex Sobel MP for Leeds North West, Tracy Brabin MP for Batley and Spen, Paula Sherriff MP for Dewsbury and Imran Hussain MP for Bradford East.

Other speakers include president of the GMB in Yorkshire & North Derbyshire, Andy Irving, Nijam Uddin Mohammad from Rohingya Community UK and Dr Qari Asim from Makkah Mosque in Leeds.

Commenting, Councillor Akhtar said: “Over the last several weeks we have seen the increase of attacks on the Rohingya communities in Burma. Families have been torn apart and hundreds of innocent lives are being slaughtered in the name of ethnic cleansing. Entire villages are being wiped out because of their faith.”

“Failure of Nobel Prize winner and leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to even acknowledge the brutal killings are totally unacceptable. We call for change in the situation for these Rohingya people now and we will not stop until our voices are heard.”

“This is about human rights violations; it’s about the failures of the Burmese government.  The Rohingya people deserve to live in peace, dignity and safety like you and I.”

“To condemn these atrocities and to stand in solidarity with the Rohingya victims we hope that you will join us at the Yorkshire Peace Demo.”

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For further information on this event please contact Cllr Javaid Akhtar 07830243149 – Cllr Fazila Fadia 07712641279 – Cllr Asghar Khan 07761230027-Cllr Salma Arif 07809695579