THREAD: The international response to the anti-Tamil pogroms of 1983, specifically the Tamil diaspora mobilization during this time, is often left out of our narratives. This resistance should be remembered and commemorated. #Tamil #lka #BlackJuly
The 1983 genocide of the Tamil community was a wake-up call to the rest of the world. The Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism demonstrated by the Sri Lankan state was finally starting to be seen and condemned by the rest of the world. #BlackJuly 
Tamil Nadu demonstrated the most consistent and continuous protests since July 25. MPs, Madras students, school children and women, and even police officers, joined the marches wearing black bands in solidarity and mourning with Tamils in SL. #BlackJuly
The marchers chanted “Jayewardene, Don’t Kill Our Tamil Brothers and Sisters”; they carried pictures of Jayawardene and burned them. The Chief Minister, Mr. M. G. Ramachandran noted that the country had not witnessed such mobilization since the Indian freedom movement. #BlackJuly
In an unprecedented sign of solidarity: the central government of Tamil Nadu authorized the closure of government offices and institutions; public and private transport, and communication systems were all brought to a halt. #BlackJuly
In London, two major demonstrations were organized: on July 27th and July 30th. The July 30th demonstration, involving more than 7000 attendees from all over Great Britain, was said to be the largest demonstration ever held in London by an ethnic group. #BlackJuly
Approximately 35,000 Eelam Tamils in Britain took part in an all-night vigil outside of the Indian High Commission, calling on India to intervene and put an end to the horrible anti-Tamil pogroms in Sri Lanka. #BlackJuly
Mr. R.S. Naiddo, the president of the South African Andhra Maha Sabha, said “as oppressed people ourselves, we feel for the oppressed Tamil people of Sri Lanka”. #BlackJuly
In New York, members of the Sparticist League picketed outside of the United Nations to protest against the SL government’s treatment of Tamils. Signs read “Stop Police Terror Against Tamils”. #BlackJuly
Other demonstrations from global members of this organization were reported to be held later that week in Paris, London, Sydney, Melbourne, and Toronto. #BlackJuly
The Centre Europe Tiers Mode, Informationsdienst Dritte Welt Eela Tamil Mandram (CH), and Sri Lanka Solidarity Committee (Geneva) appealed to the ‘Second World Conference To Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination’ to publicly declare the SL government guilty of gross HRVs.
