Martial Law in Pakistan - Emergency Telegraph

**WebMaster** · #1 11-13-2007, 12:07 AM

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Thank you all for subscribing to the emergency@hcs.harvard.edu. This list is going to be moderated for a little while to resolve complaints against nonconsensual subscription and spam. However, that should not deter you from sending emails that you may find important. Email emergencyinpakistan@gmail.com and to send something to everyone with “list forward” in the subject line.
This edition has to be rather long. This is due to the backlog of events and news owing to the lack of volunteers. We have finally assembled a media team that will be able to work. If you are interested in being a part of the team and are willing to give in at least half an hour to one hour everyday please see the relevant section.
Getting Media Coverage for your protests
The media division of the Emergency in Pakistan list has established links with most of the foreign and domestic media. If you are protesting and are expecting more than 50 participants and would like your event covered please email mediaemergency@gmail.com with “Media Coverage” in the subject line. Please tell as soon as possible so that we may notify the journalists immediately. Incase of a change in venue or schedule, do not forget to update us. All requests must be accompanied by a contact person and his or her email and telephone. Do not forget to take your own pictures. We can still get them published if you inform us ASAP. Please remember, all news is time sensitive.

Suggestions for your Protests

A guideline suggested by concerned citizens, lawyers, human rights’ activists and veterans who fought for Democracy in Zia’s time.
Don’t Get Arrested! A premature arrest will only fill up jails, limit your future participation and cause trouble for your family
At a private location in Islamabad, a group of senior lawyers, human rights’ activists and other concerned citizens of Pakistan met came out with some suggestions for future protests. In addition students of LUMS have been very active in working on details and suggestions.
These guidelines are not exhaustive. Please do use your own common sense and discretion when needed. Also if you have any suggestion, please email emergencyinpakistan@gmail.com with “Protest Guidelines” in the subject.
If protesting in Pakistan:
Flash rallies: Rallies not lasting more than 10 minutes and having around 10 people.
Do not announce your rallies well in advance. Generally inform of a day and an approximate location. Details should be announced just an hour in advance.
Distribute stickers and posters amongst the public. Also try to convince them to stand with you.
A small scale education campaign to inform people about what this martial law means and its implications on Pakistan and its people. This might prove more effective.
Name enemies of the state and shame them in public.
Graffiti is a good means of dissent. Vandalism is not.
Everyone must wear a black article of clothing or a black armband until this is over even outside of protests.
Black flags should be hoisted on the rooftops of houses and shops.
Unions should be contacted to encourage their participation in the protests and movement.
Pamphlets and banners are an effective way to counter the media blackout.

Car rallies: Rallies of people in car driving slowly on one end up a highway with banners and black flags on cars.

Be careful of what you discuss on the phone, telephone lines and the internet.
In person communication is the safest form. Internet comes a second close. Cell phones and land lines are repeatedly being tapped.
Do not travel in large groups without sufficient organization because you could arouse needless scrutiny.
If you plan to go to a rally:
Keep a wet cloth handy to cover your mouth, nose and eyes during possible tear-gassing.
Salt for your throat, under the same eventuality.
Make sure you leave your contact with someone responsible to check on you in case something happens.
Girls are specially advised to wear shalwaar kameez.
Do not carry expensive items with you.
And of course, a pair of good running shoes.

Nov 3rd, Saturday, Outside the Supreme Court, 500-1000 people
Nov 4th, Sunday, In front of Justice colony, 50-100 people
Nov 5th, Monday, Aab Para, (details unknown)
Nov 5th, Monday, In Front of Pindi High Court, (details unknown)
Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Lahore High Court, 700-1000 people
Nov 5th, Monday, In LUMS, 500-600 people Karachi:
Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Karachi High Court, (details unknown)
Nov 6th, Tuesday, Karachi Press Club, 15 parties and groups Multan:
Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Multan High Court, (details unknown)
Nov 6th, Tuesday, In front of Multan High Court, hundreds London:
Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Pakistani Embassy, 300 people
Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Pakistani Embassy,
150-200 New York: Nov 5th, Monday, In front of Pakistani Embassy, 200 people

Upcoming Protests

Islamabad: Nov 7th, Wednesday, In Front of PM House, 5 PM
Lahore: Nov 7th, Wednesday, LUMS, 1-2 PM
Washington: Nov 11th, Sunday, In front of Pakistani Embassy, all day
London: Nov 7th, Wednesday, In Front of Pakistani Embassy, 1-2 PM
New York: Thanksgiving, In front of Pakistani Embassy, 24 hour

More updates to follow soon. If you want your protest to be on the next issue please email emergencyinpakistan@gmail.com

IDS student who participated in the protest outside the Pakistani High Commission in London: It's 1 a.m. in Brighton, just arrived from London. The demonstration in front of the high commission had about 200 people, with more than 10% LUMS alumni from all the main universities in the UK. All the main media was there. Gave them the news about what was happening in the unis and other places in Pakistan. I've told them to go inside the universities to hear the voices.
Someone from CNN (he asked me not to be mentioned) told me to tell you to (in his words) "flood our website with pictures, videos and reports of what is happening there". Send them to I-Report at: http://edition.cnn.com/exchange/ireports/toolkit/index.html

He said that CNN loves this "people reporting" and also that it's been very difficult to get their reports out of Pakistan (BBC and NDTV also said the same). Send your videos and pics ad reports to them. On another front we (in the UK) decided to ask all Pakistani political parties why aren't they coming to the street - we are going to tell them that we aren't going to the streets unless they set the example. Next demonstration Wednesday in Birmingham, and we're planning to hold demonstrations in front of No. 10 every Saturday. Apparently the demonstration in New York was also quite good. Keep the fight there, but don't go out and get arrested. A briliant idea from one of our students: "It would be good if all the websites at LUMS, in Lahore, in Pakistan and any where else post a message on there home pages condemning the shameless move of General Musharraf."

IDS at Sussex has already done so. This is their front page: http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/ Pass on this idea to all academic institutions that we have contacts with, nationally and internationally. Miguel (miguel@lums.edu.pk )

Active Petitions
Restore 1973 Constitution by Pakistani International Community
http://www.gopetition.com/online/15064.html Please sign this petition if you haven’t done so already

Emergency Headquarters
An attempt is underway to consolidate all the efforts. So far there have been some problems with communication and logistics. Omer Aftab (Harvard ’10) is working on creating a website that will allow everyone to coordinate, share pictures, ideas and opinions amongst a host of other things. Anyone who is also currently working on something similar is strongly recommended to contact Omer (oaftab@fas.harvard.edu)

Your submissions
Emergency Telegraph is looking for your submissions. As such there are no official guidelines for submissions. The format of this journal should be clear by now. If you have any submissions, please email emergencyinpakistan@gmail.com with “Submissions” in the subject line.

Call for Volunteers
Please contribute your time for fighting against martial law. Volunteers are asked to email to emergencyinpakistan@gmail.com with “Volunteer” in the subject line. Most work is done online. Half an hour everyday could greatly help our cause. Also, please inform us about your protests in advance so that media teams and announcements can be sent accordingly.