CTC raises thousands for Amnesty International
September 21, 2011 07:48 am
A sea of yellow t-shirts flooded Thompson Memorial Park in Canada as hundreds walked in the third annual Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) walk-a-thon in aid of Amnesty International.
On Sept. 18 David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson of the CTC, and hundreds of walkers, donors, business groups, community leaders, Tamil Canadians and friends tied their shoes for the five-kilometre walk.
The walk supported the protection and promotion of human rights in Sri Lanka.
“We come from a country where human rights are being violated. There’s no media freedom in Sri Lanka.” Poopalapillai said.
“There’s no big voice. Countries like Sri Lanka pay only the lip service when it comes to human rights, so Amnesty [International] stands very tall, bringing out those human rights violations to the outside world.”
The CTC, holds a walk-a-thon every year to raise money in support of a charity they believe is most deserving.
In 2009 they raised $42,000 for Sick Kids’ Foundation and raised $35,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society in 2010.
This year, they chose Amnesty International, which is also celebrating 50 years of protecting and promoting human rights.
Jey Jeyakanthan, a volunteer for CTC and fellow walker, moved to Canada from Sri Lanka 15 years ago.
“Back home there are so many human rights violations going on. The main thing people have to have is the equality to live in a democratic society.” Jeyakanthan said.
“I’m a strong believer of human rights, that’s why I’m here.”
The walk featured guest speakers from Tamil Canadians such elected MPs Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Neethan Shan – who spoke of the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless.
A cake cutting followed after the walk, celebrating Amnesty’s 50 years of advocacy.
The walk raised $52,000 by the end of the day, and the number’s still growing, the Toronto Observer reports.
On Sept. 18 David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson of the CTC, and hundreds of walkers, donors, business groups, community leaders, Tamil Canadians and friends tied their shoes for the five-kilometre walk.
The walk supported the protection and promotion of human rights in Sri Lanka.
“We come from a country where human rights are being violated. There’s no media freedom in Sri Lanka.” Poopalapillai said.
“There’s no big voice. Countries like Sri Lanka pay only the lip service when it comes to human rights, so Amnesty [International] stands very tall, bringing out those human rights violations to the outside world.”
The CTC, holds a walk-a-thon every year to raise money in support of a charity they believe is most deserving.
In 2009 they raised $42,000 for Sick Kids’ Foundation and raised $35,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society in 2010.
This year, they chose Amnesty International, which is also celebrating 50 years of protecting and promoting human rights.
Jey Jeyakanthan, a volunteer for CTC and fellow walker, moved to Canada from Sri Lanka 15 years ago.
“Back home there are so many human rights violations going on. The main thing people have to have is the equality to live in a democratic society.” Jeyakanthan said.
“I’m a strong believer of human rights, that’s why I’m here.”
The walk featured guest speakers from Tamil Canadians such elected MPs Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Neethan Shan – who spoke of the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless.
A cake cutting followed after the walk, celebrating Amnesty’s 50 years of advocacy.
The walk raised $52,000 by the end of the day, and the number’s still growing, the Toronto Observer reports.
