Indian students in Prince Edward Island, Canada, who have been protesting recent immigration policy changes that threaten their deportation, are planning to resume their demonstrations with a "big blackout" scheduled for June 19. Previously, these students had undertaken a hunger strike starting on May 24, which was paused on June 1.
"We are coordinating another significant blackout event and urge all community members and Islanders to join us on June 19. It's a beautiful day, and we aim to convey the right message effectively, especially with another draw scheduled for June 20," stated Rupinder Pal Singh, a leader of the protest, during a podcast.
The primary objective of the June 19 demonstration is to highlight the profound impact of the recent policy alterations.
"Let's demonstrate the real numbers and faces to showcase the scale of those affected. If we can gather approximately 1,000 participants that day, it will underscore the gravity of the situation and hopefully prompt corrective action," Singh emphasized.
These efforts precede a forthcoming draw for nominations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) scheduled for June 20.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed for individuals with skills, education, and work experience that contribute to a specific province or territory's economy. Participants intend to reside in the province or territory and seek permanent residency in Canada.
INDIAN STUDENTS' PROTEST IN PEI SINCE MAY 9
Since May 9, Indian students have been staging protests against deportation in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Many participants commenced a hunger strike on May 24 on the lawn outside the George Coles Building, which houses the PEI Legislature.
The hunger strike had adverse effects on their health, resulting in deteriorating conditions and instances of fainting among the participants.
Recent changes in provincial immigration policies have made it more challenging for individuals in sales and service roles to qualify for provincial nomination for permanent residency, even for those currently employed on the Island.
Most protesters are recent graduates of Canadian universities or colleges who, as international students, were granted three-year open work permits. They chose to work in Prince Edward Island due to its reputation as a straightforward pathway towards permanent residency, a critical step towards Canadian citizenship.
