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'WAKE UP, SURREY' Rally Calls For An End To Drug And Gang Violence

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Jun, 2018 10:54 AM

A ‘Wake Up’ rally against gang violence was organized on the evening of June 13 near Surrey City Hall. This rally comes into force after the shocking death of two teenagers, Jaskarn (Jason) Singh Jhutty, 16, and Jaskaran (Jesse) Singh Bhangal, 17, who were killed in a targeted shooting in the Campbell Heights neighbourhood.

Police say the shootings were targeted, although the young victims were not known to them and their families say neither had any link to gangs.

About 8,000 to 10,000 people attended this rally to demand accountability from government authorities and elected politicians and to end the issue of gang violence.

Wake Up Rally starts in Surrey
Posted by OMNI Punjabi on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

The press release sent prior to the Jago and Jagao (Wake up and wake up)! rally stated: “Surrey parents, the time has come to speak up and ask our elected politicians for an answer.

In these past years, what has been done at the grassroots level to eradicate gang violence in Surrey?” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, along with many residents of Surrey, community leaders, members of various organizations, including parents of the two deceased teenagers were part of this much-needed rally.

“The aim was to wake up Surrey, wake up parents and politicians, schools and everyone regarding the issue of gang violence. Enough is enough, it is time to see and face the real crisis,” states Gurpreet Sahota, editor of Charhdi Kala and Akal Guardian Punjabi Newspapers and organizer of the rally. He noted that the participation in thousands only inculcates that “people are angry and grievous and they need answers.”

Many community members and activists spoke at the rally, including retired Surrey RCMP Staff Sergeant Jack Hundial.

Huge #turnout at the #jago rally. DARPAN is #LIVE on location at the #wakeup #Rally happening at the #surreycityhall #endGangViolence #jointhemovement #keepkidssafe #justice #jago #kids #kidsplay @kidsplay @surreymayor #rcmp #saynotodrugs #stayinschool #future #hope @jag.khosa @kidsplayfoundation @kal_dosanjh @theonearjansinghbhullar

A post shared by Darpan Magazine (@darpanmagazine) on Jun 13, 2018 at 6:57pm PDT

Sahota points out that though there are various measures taken to prevent gang violence from increasing, not enough is done.“There is just lip service but no enough ground work. There is also a lack of resources and more funding is required. And most importantly accountability is needed from everyone,” he expresses.

Salma Naz, principal at iLearn DL Secondary School and rally organizer, says change will require public education and a new approach by police and the school system, while B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the provincial government is working with groups to identify new initiatives.

“We have given the city authorities about six weeks of time to catch the culprits and bring justice to the victims. After that we will decide on how to protest again. We need results and we will not sit idle,” says Sahota about the next step so that local government and politicians are held accountable and create more preventive measures against gang violence.

The organizers are also working on alternatives and have received support from community veterans like Canadian lawyer and former judge Wally Oppal to work on this crucial issue. “We are also working with the School Board to educate parents on how to prevent this situation and protect their kids,” adds Sahota

Post the rally, five Members of Parliament from Surrey, Randeep Sarai, Sukh Dhaliwal, Ken Hardie, John Aldag and Gordie Hogg, sent out a detailed letter to rally organizers addressing the issue of gang violence and presenting the investments and plans introduced to tackle this issue.

Sahota urges parents and community members to come forward and fight against gang violence. “This is our city and our kids, we have to work hard. We can’t rely on others to protect our kids,” he says in conclusion.

WATCH THE FULL RALLY HERE:

Wake Up Rally LIVE Broadcast From Surrey City Hall
Wake Up Rally LIVE Broadcast From Surrey City Hall
Posted by Channel Punjabi on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

JAGO AND JAGAO RALLY: Surrey Parents Seek Answers From The Elected Politicians And The Police At The City Hall
Posted by Darpan Magazine on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

JAGO AND JAGAO RALLY: Not Enough Police Officers In Surrey
JAGO AND JAGAO RALLY: Concerns Raised About The Police At The Event
Posted by Darpan Magazine on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Parents of Jesse Bhangal at anti gang rally in #SurreyBC. 17 yr old Jesse was murdered last week in Campbell Heights ⁦@CKNW⁩ ⁦@GlobalBC⁩ ⁦@charlesadler⁩ ⁦@drex⁩ pic.twitter.com/QTwMHaRzip
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) June 14, 2018

People as far as the eye can see at anti gang rally outside #SurreyBC city hall ⁦@SurreyMayor⁩ ⁦@CKNW⁩ ⁦@GlobalBC⁩ pic.twitter.com/tu0X6hc0Sh
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) June 14, 2018

Looked like more than 3 thousand people attended the Wake up Rally at the plaza beside #Surrey city hall. Parents, community leaders hope the demonstration will lead to more help to combat youth gangs and drugs pic.twitter.com/x9zbeqXSvg
— Meera Bains (@Meerakati) June 14, 2018

A crowd of thousands has turned up at Surrey City Hall to speak out against violence plaguing the community. @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/Bpugk7ZBAS
— Ben Miljure (@CTVNewsBen) June 14, 2018

Difficult to say how many people here at anti gang rally in #SurreyBC right now but could be close to a thousand. ⁦@CKNW⁩ ⁦@GlobalBC⁩ ⁦@charlesadler⁩ ⁦@drex⁩ ⁦@chrisgailus⁩ pic.twitter.com/4ZDuVCMXVn
— Janet Brown (@JanetBrown980) June 14, 2018

‘WAKE UP!’ More than 1,000 ppl gather in Surrey demanding action by parents, police & politicians. @GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/Mbip1pLP8V
— Rumina Daya (@rdayaglobal) June 14, 2018

#StandingWithOurKids ਇਹ ਇਕੱਠ ਹੁਣ ਛੇ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਸਿਆਸਤਦਾਨਾਂ ਤੇ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕਰੇਗਾ ਕਿ ਦੋ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਕਤਲ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਕੋਈ ਠੋਸ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ...
Posted by Gurpreet Singh Sahota on Thursday, 14 June 2018

#StandingUpForOurKids ਸਰੀ ਦੇ 5 ਸੰਸਦ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਰਣਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਰਾਏ, ਸੁੱਖ ਧਾਲੀਵਾਲ, ਕੈੱਨ ਹਾਰਡੀ, ਜੌਹਨ ਐਲਡਗ ਅਤੇ ਗੋਰਡੀ ਹੌਗ ਨੇ 'ਜਾਗੋ...
Posted by Gurpreet Singh Sahota on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Posted by Gurpreet Singh Sahota on Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Sikh riders of Canada at surrey wake up call rally against gang violence

A post shared by Sikh Riders Of Canada (@sikhridersofcanada) on Jun 13, 2018 at 11:52pm PDT

PHOTO: Twitter/Ben Miljure @CTVNewsBen

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