#BECAUSEWEVEREAD X #STANDWITHKASHMIR COLLABORATIVE UNIT

As of today, Friday October 11th, 2019, it has been exactly 68 days (and counting) since India revoked Article 370 (defining and formalizing its relationship to Kashmir) from its constitution, alarmingly accelerating an already-crippling military occupation of Kashmir.

That is 68 days (& counting) of a complete communication blackout of internet, phones, and other media. 68 days (& counting) where Kashmiris have been unable to hear from family/friends. 68 days (& counting) of thousands of additional Indian soldiers added to the already-present ~600,000 Indian troops administering a violent and merciless military occupation of the tiny region of Kashmir since the Indian partition in 1947.

In light of this ongoing and accelerating military occupation, lack of media attention, and urgent calls for international solidarity, #BecauseWeveRead is honored to be partnering with Stand With Kashmir to host this ‘Emergency Read’ on Kashmir. 

Until My Freedom Has Come: The New Intifada in Kashmir is a composition of beautiful, painful, inspiring, and compelling essays written in various styles (poetry, short narrative, autobiographical, academic, etc) by Kashmiris in Kashmir and around the world. While this text was published in 2013 and is generally themed around the tumultuous 2010 uprisings in Kashmir, the voices and stories presented in its essays are both timeless and integral to contextualize and better understand the contemporary situation unfolding before our eyes.

We are excited to be collaborating with Stand With Kashmir for this Emergency Read. #SWK is a Kashmiri diaspora-driven grassroots collective dedicated to building solidarity with the people of Kashmir in ending the occupation and supporting their right to self-determination.