The Pakistani community in the USA has vocally opposed the emergency imposed by General Musharraf in Pakistan, deploring the suspension of fundamental rights, the arrest and detention of thousands of lawyers, human rights activists, judges, students and journalists.

Related Links
The Battle for Pakistan
Pakistan Emergency: Community Activists Arrested
Pakistani Civil Society In Suspension
Call for a Greater Left Unity in Pakistan

In support of thousands in Pakistan who continue to defy emergency and organize public rallies, resisting military rule, hundreds came out in New York, Boston, DC, LA, Chicago and other cities in the USA.

In Boston, a rally was organized at the Boston Commons on November 10^th at 11 AM. On the day same, in LA, protesters gathered outside the Pakistani consulate protesting the emergency and violation of rights of millions of Pakistanis.

The New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York County Lawyers' Association and Amnesty International co-organized a candle light vigil on November 13th.

In San Francisco, a rally was organized on 10^th November. Organizers included ANAA, Amnesty International, ANSWER, Friends of South Asia, Tehreek-e-insaaf, Code Pink, South Bay Mobilization, San Jose Peace Center, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Silicon Valley Pakistani American Community, Peninsula Peace and Justice Center.

* An Immediate end to martial law in Pakistan<

* End to US support of military dictatorship

* Restoration of judiciary

* Unconditional Release of all political prisoners

* Reinstatement of the constitution

* Ending all curbs on news media

Talks and seminars were also organized at various college campuses include Columbia University, and Harvard University. In Columbia, Robert Templer (Director of Asia Program, International Crisis Group NYC), Sami Abrahim (GEO TV NY Correspondent (Pakistan's premier news channel which has been offthe air since the imposition of emergency)), Kiran Khalid (Freelance broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker of "We Are Not Free," about media censorship in Pakistan) led a discussion on Emergency in Pakistan: Formulating an International Response.

At Harvard, The South Asia Initiative organized a panel discussion. Ayesha Jalal (Mary Richardson Professor of History, Tufts University, MacArthur Fellow (1998-2003) and Author, "Partisans of Allah: Jihad in South Asia") spoke on Pakistan At 60; Asad Ahmed (Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University) spoke on Law and Emergency, Asim Khwaja (Associate Professor of Public Policy, Kennedy School of Government) spoke on Education and Politics and Richard Wolf (Professor of Music, Harvard University) on Music and Culture.

At the University of Chicago, The Department of South Asia Languages and Civilizations hosted a Teach In, on the historical and political dimensions of the current situation and its implication for US foreign policy. CM Naim, Professor Emeritus, Department of South Asia Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago spoke on the US/Pakistan relations since the 1950s. Atiya Khan, PhD Candidate, Department of History, University of Chicago spoke on Pakistan in the 1960s: Revolt and Counter- Revolution. Manan Ahmed, PhD Candidate, Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago spoke on the Baluchistan/ Swat crisis behind this Emergency. Aqil Shah, Department of Political Science, Columbia University spoke on the short term and structural features of military praetorianism in Pakistan.

A Congressional Human Rights Caucus update was also organized on Friday, November 16, 2007 between 11:30 am – 1:00pm in Room: 2255 Rayburn. It included briefing on the escalating situation in Pakistan regarding democracy and human rights. The briefing was open to the public and the media.

ANAA has called all people who are connected with Pakistan to call their senators and representatives and talk to them about the crisis in Pakistan. Please Call your congressman/woman and Senator. For their number click here

Ask to be connected to the staffer who deals with foreign relations in Washington Office.

Once you get connected to that person introduce yourself and show your concern for Emergency in Pakistan.

1. To issue a statement in line with Senator Kerry, Senator Biden or Congresswoman Lowey. Tell them that you will forward them their statement (attached with this email) or click here US Congress

2. Ask them for an appointment and we have volunteers in DC who would meet them.

3. Please call Zafar Iqbal (President ANAA) 928-550-0062 if you want to volunteer to be part of the team to meet these Congress representative OR if you have an appointment with them and need volunteer teams to meet them. OR for any other concern about this Congressional initiative.