An estimated 75,000 people filled Tierra Buena and Butte House roads before the beginning of the parade, one of the largest annual gatherings of Sikhs anywhere outside Asia.[link]

We had mentioned before the float built by the Sikh Students Collaborative.  The Appeal Democrat, Yuba City’s own newspaper, made special note of the float that seemed to have attracted plenty of conversation and provided fruits for conversation:

More floats followed, from businesses, school ethnic clubs and charities such as the American Red Cross’ local chapter. Some floats had a political message, such as one from a group of Sikh college students that warned of oppression against Sikhs in their native India.

Two men stood on the float with their heads positioned inside nooses, while words read, “A community will never forget.”[link]

Along with the float, the first annual Yuba City Youth Lecture and Discussion was conducted.  Overall the weekend was a great success and too many of us are still exhausted.  Special thanks to ALL those SSAs that lent their support and especially ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS that were out until 2am working on the float.  Another thanks has to go out to the Jakara Movement volunteers that came out and worked above and beyond the call of duty.  Truly when we work together, we are the movement.  Below the link, see some pictures from the float.

We are looking for volunteers, advocates, and participants.

Volunteers – send us an email and help us put you in contact with your local region.

Advocates – encourage your friends and family members to attend and participate

Participants – we are looking for kids!  Make sure you children, nephew, nieces, brothers, and sisters come out and learn about their Sikh heritage, culture, and religion.

Click below to find out when and where it is happening in your community

• Fresno Camp – Dakota Gurdwara – Saturday, October 24th, 2009
• Kerman Camp – Kerman Gurdwara – Saturday, October 24th, 2009
• Sacramento Camp – West Sacramento Gurdwara – Saturday, November 7th, 2009
• San Diego Camp – TBA – Saturday, November 7th, 2009
• Fremont Camp – Fremont Gurdwara – Saturday, November 14th, 2009
• Turlock/Livingston Camp – Turlock Gurdwara – Saturday, November 14th, 2009
• Los Angeles Camp – Lankershim Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
• Orange County Camp – Buena Park Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
• Stockton Camp – Stockton Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
• Yuba City Camp – Tierra Buena Gurdwara – Saturday, November 21st, 2009
• San Jose Camp – San Jose Gurdwara – Saturday, December 5th, 2009
• Riverside Camp – Riverside Gurdwara – TBA

After finishing Visions of Truth in Yuba City today I would like to give some suggestions for the upcoming film screenings:

• If possible do an afternoon/evening event.  Unfortunately, many prefer to sleep in rather than attending a film screening.
• Go in a few days before your event to make sure the DVDs are compatible with the devices that you will be given.  If done at a school campus make sure that the sound works as well. Also this will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the equipment.
• Have a back up plan if people show up late-if only a few people come on time have something planned so the audience doesn’t get bored.  You definitely want to start on time, but with IST it gets difficult.
• Pass out flyers. We only did posters due to the time constraint, but by passing out flyers people will read it and remember.
• Assign someone to take pictures during the event. And if possible get a tri-pod so the pictures aren’t blurry-or if someone has a high-tech camera. It just slipped my mind that the lights are off during a movie screening.
• Refreshments would definitely be a good idea. You can keep it simple by just doing water. Plus, soda and most juices aren’t too good for the body anyways.
• If you are not doing it at a location that most people know, have some places to eat in mind-that is if you are not serving lunch/dinner. (Which would be difficult since you do not know how many people are going to attend.)
• Before the clips read a short intro and then after each one summarize what was seen/go over the key parts/add something-incorporate the knowledge that you already have
• Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCREENING

Some additional notes:

A few of Americans had come to the event because it was sponsored by the student government and these attendees said that our organization was amazing in actually having events such as this one. They said that it is difficult to get the youth to come out but by even getting the word out to anyone and everyone is spectacular.  On this note I was thinking since the movies have subtitles it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invite non-Sikhs as well.  They shouldn’t be our main target, but if we have good friends who aren’t Sikh and that would be willing to come, it would be a good idea to spread the message.  But there is + and – for that. Since it might be difficult for some to read subtitles for a few hours.

-Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE

-attendees said the event was well organized and logistics were great (besides the technical difficulties) Thanks to our lovely Jakara volunteers in Fresno and San Jose

-Just relax and everything will work out in some way or another & don’t forget to SMILE

-attendees said the event was well organized and logistics were great (besides the technical difficulties) Thanks to our lovely Jakara volunteers in Fresno and San Jose