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H3>Tamils march for peace with justice
CANBERRA — Five hundred Tamils and their supporters marched here on February 3 to mark the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence on February 4.
@photo caption = Tamil leaders said that while many Tamils helped win independence for Sri Lanka they have never been able to enjoy the benefits. The repression of the Tamil minority seeking an independent state has led to more than 75,000 people being killed, more than 500,000 Tamils fleeing the island and another 500,000 being displaced.
The protesters demanded the Sri Lankan government cease all military operations against Tamil civilians, lift the economic embargo of the Tamil homelands and provide humanitarian aid. Greetings from the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, and the Uniting Church were read to the rally. On the same day, 15,000 marched in London and 25,000 marched in Toronto, Canada.