An article by Ann Marlowe, published in the World Affairs Journal

http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/blog/ann-marlowe/will-us-respond-amazigh-rights-libya

Three gatherings took place on Saturday:
Ottawa, Canada, in front of the Canadian Parliament.
New York City, NY, USA, in Central Park
Boston, MA, USA at Boston Common
Today: Montreal, Canada, in front of Radio-Television Canada

It was a cold day at all three places but many people braved the December weather and showed up. They came to lend a hand to the Amazigh Libyans who are fighting to have a say in the new political landscape that is shaping up in their country. The new National Transitional Council has already shown anti-Amazigh tendencies. This is nothing more than a political game that uses fear (fear of the Amazigh) to cement the new Arabo-Islamist groups that are trying to grab power. The Libyan nationaly unity will be built on the ashes of the Amazigh. This would be nothing but a continuation of the same old policy of anihilation of the Amazigh, as a people, a culture and a language that the longest reigning dictator (Gaddafi) has practiced.

As for fighting against the tyrant, the Libyan Amazighs did plenty of. They did so in the indifference of the rest of the country. When the entire country finally united to oust the mad man, the Amazighs did no hesitate a second. They fought valliantly and if it weren't for them Gaddafi would not fall.

The Amazighs of Libya want to live in dignity. They want their identity and culture to be recognized ad they want to above all to participate in a new democratic Libya. So they want to be fairly represented and have a say in what happens to them and to the country.

The North American Support Committee to The Amazighs of Libya, the Amazigh Cultural Association in America and the Berber American Community all joined hands to gather Saturday and Sunday to tell the world that the work in Libya is not done. Discrimination is still at work. Most of all to tell the Amazighs of Libya that we are with them and support their fight for dignity and justice.

Protest locations:

Ottawa, Canada
Location: Parliament Hill
Date & time: Saturday 12/17/11 at 2:00 PM

Montreal, Canada
Location: In front of Radio-Television Canada
Date & time: Sunday 12/18/11 at 11 AM

New York City, USA
Location Central Park (59th St & 5th Ave)
Date & time: Saturday 12/17/11 at 1:00 PM

Boston, USA
Location: Boston Common
Date & time: Saturday 12/17/11 at 12:00 AM

Below this text are fliers for each location and a press release by BAC.

The Amazigh people of Libya played a leading role in the fall of the Gaddafi dictatorship. They brought the Amazigh culture and language to the forefront by making it an important part of their struggle. They fought as Imazighen [Free People] and insisted that all Libyans and the rest of the world know this critical fact. Nobody can ignore the crucial role they played in freeing Libya from the claws of a mad dictator. The NTC [National Transitional Council] took over the reins of government from him.  This junta did not waste any time in unveiling their real face vis-à-vis Imazighen. They did not only exclude the Amazigh component from the new interim government. No. They actually granted a ministerial position to an individual who made racist statements against Imazighen at an August meeting of the NTC.

The Imazighen say they are not prepared to negotiate the status the Amazigh language and culture will have in Libya. They rejected the new government and withdrew their representatives from the NTC. They made their demands clear. Since November 23, they have been out in the streets of Tripoli and throughout the Amazigh region to denounce the new Libyan government and the NTC, which they describe as racist. Imazighen played a crucial role in the overthrow of Gaddafi. So, they have earned the right to sit at the Libyan table. How can any government claim legitimacy without them? Their fight will continue until justice is done.

The Amazigh people of Libya are giving us the best example of determination in the fight to preserve the Amazigh culture. The world must show its support and not forget the struggle of and the discrimination against this courageous people. In particular, we are calling on the Amazigh associations, organizations, and activists worldwide to mobilize and show their support for this noble cause. It is crucial that we stand beside the Amazigh people of Libya. We want them to know they are not alone. We must be together in any issue that concerns our identity. December 17 has been designated as the international day of solidarity with the Amazigh people of Libya and to denounce any attempt by the NTC to bury the aspirations of this brave people. No more dictatorship in Libya. We also take this opportunity to denounce all the past government attempts throughout North Africa to bury the Amazigh people's dreams for freedom and justice.

Join us on December 17. Let us fly the flag of peace, true democracy, and justice and show our Amazigh brothers and sisters in Libya that we are with them. No more racist dictatorship in Libya.

Signed

The North American Support Committee for the Amazigh of Libya
The Amazigh Cultural Association in America
The Berber American Community

Tamazgha hails the fighting spirit of Libyan Imazighen
 
Tamazgha Takes note of the formation of the NTC's interim government announced on 22 November by Prime Minister Abd-al-Rahim al-Kib. This government formation clearly indicates the extent of exclusion and marginalization to which the Amazigh people are being subjected by the NTC. For this reason we denounce the NTC and its discriminatory and racist moves and we reject this government which represents only those who appointed it.

Tamazgha supports the Libyan Imazighen position which they made public immediately after the formation of this puppet government. We reassure   the Libyan Imazighen of our unwavering support. Imazighen are not willing to forfeit their freedom for which they paid a high price, that of their sons' blood. Imazighen are determined to no longer be subjected to Al-Qadhafi-style practices and are vowing to fight to the end in order to lead a free and dignified life doggedly refusing to make any concessions which may jeopardize their hard-won freedom.

 Tamazgha appeals to the international community to act urgently and to not let Libyans to sink into the dark tunnel of the NTC-concocted discriminatory and racist Arab-Islamist ideology. Rewarding racist, regionalist and abusers of human rights individuals with ministerial jobs is a strong sign sent by the NTC in the direction of the Amazigh people of Libya as well as in the direction of the international community after it had supported the popular uprising against the dictator. Are we going to accept to quickly return to an era against which we have fought with all our force only a few months ago? 
 
Through their struggle in order to lead a dignified life, it is the whole Amazigh people whom the Libyan Imazighen want to see regain their normal and legitimate place within the community of modern nations. For this reason we call on all Amazigh people of the world, particularly in North Africa, to express their support and solidarity with Libyan Imazighen.

Today, the Amazigh people of Libya provide us with a praiseworthy example of the struggle for freedom and for restoring the historic and legitimate rights of the Amazigh people in their homeland. It is high time for all the Amazigh people in North Africa and in the Sahel region to follow the example of the Imazighen of Libya to liberate themselves form decades of domination to which they have been subjected by the Arab-Islamist colonialism and discriminatory ideology.

Tudert i Tmazgha
Tudert i Tmazight.

Tamazgha,
Paris, 4 December 2011

(Reuters, Nov 27 2011) - Several hundred Berbers marched into the courtyard of the Libyan prime minister's office Sunday to express their anger at the country's new cabinet, which does not include anyone from their large ethnic  group.

 The Amazigh, or Berber, people were stunned when the country's new interim government was announced Tuesday and none of the 26 ministerial posts went to one of their own.

They say they make up around 10-15 percent of the population and played an important role in the rebellion that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

 "We do not recognize this government, and all Libyans must know that we are a part, a powerful and effective part of the country," said Mohammed Kaabr, a doctoral student and part of a delegation that spoke to Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib.

 Protesters chanted "Where is El-Keib?" and "There is no difference between Amazigh and Arab!" on the steps of Keib's office while talks went on inside. Kaabr said the meeting was cut short so Keib could try to calm the boisterous crowd.