First results:
- We have collected almost 250 signatures,
- Over a hundred messages of solidarity have been sent to the marchers,
- The letters came from 46 ‘départements’,
- 18 French regions have been involved,
- The Basse-Normandie, Bretagne, Centre, Ile-de-France, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays-de-la-Loire and Rhône-Alpes regions in particular have reacted very positively.
What next?
As we told you, the first signed letters were flown to India late in October. The objective was to deliver some of these letters to Ekta Parishad’s president, Rajagopal P.V. personally, and the rest directly to the marchers.
This has now been done! Elise, a Frères des Hommes trainee working with Ekta Parishad, has met some participants in the Janadesh march and given them your letters.
- 30 octobre 2008 : remise des lettres à Rajagopal P.V.
October 30, 2008: letters delivered to Rajagopal P.V.
- 11 décembre 2008 : remise des lettres à N. Arulselvan, originaire de Nagapattinam dans le Tamil Nadu
December 11, 2008: letters delivered to N. Arulselvan, from Nagapattinam in the Tamil Nadu
Keep supporting Indian peasants by signing the Letter to the marchers
Letter to the marchers
Yes to non-violence for the abolition of poverty!
Dear friends,
I have heard through Frères des Hommes of the great Janadesh march started by Ekta Parishad in India, in which you took part in October 2007.
Thanks to your determination, your courage all along the 250 miles you walked from Gwalior to Delhi, in this huge popular rising of some 25,000 landless people, you have shown that:
yes, poor populations can stand as fully-fledged citizens and weigh in on those public policies that shape their daily lives;
yes, the promotion of the rights of the disadvantaged can reinforce everyone’s rights to natural resources and to democratic practices;
yes, it is possible to struggle non-violently against all forms of injustice and poverty.
I stand at your side in questioning speculative agriculture, in encouraging sustainable peasant farming and developing crop farms and employment; in abolishing poverty and hunger.
Thank you for allowing me to share and carry along with you this message of universal hope.
A few messages of support...
“I greatly admire this non-violent march to struggle against all forms of injustice and poverty.” Germaine
“Hurrah for your commitment. Your march sets an exampleto all Europeans. We encourage you to continue.” Claude
“Good luck for your legitimate struggles. And thanks for your strong invitation to get going ourselves. Justice, equality, fraternity are right there at the end of the road!” Patrick
“I have great admiration for the marchers. Outright enthusiasm and optimism for their aim and the results expected.” Hélène
“Dear friends. We are happy to hear about the success of your march. We tell our friends about you. Keep on with your fight, and may the whole world hear about it!” Françoise & Jean-François
“Jai jagat! Everything is within your reach.” Stéphanie
“Your marches for the abolition of poverty in your country are connected to our struggles against injustice in this country. Together we are stronger.” Guy
“All the members of the ORCADES association (of Poitiers-France) send you this message of sympathy and their encouragement for your non-violent march to assert your land rights. May you obtain for yourselves and your children the food sovereignty you need to make a living with your own production methods.” Geneviève
“JI am not actually marching with you but, several times a day, I walk and my thoughts go with you. I love you.” Chantal
“Hurrah. Keep it up! Alone, we go faster. Together, we go farther.” Patricia
“I am a pensioner who has grown organic fruit, vegetables and herbs for over 50 years. Working the land by promoting natural cycles; maintaining life. It works.” Maurice
“With the full support of a [GMO crop]mowing activist. For direct, participative democracy to the end! !” Etienne
- La lettre aux marcheurs
- Lettre de soutien aux marcheurs de Janadesh, avril - octobre 2008
