Over 200 Nepalis residing in the United States took part in a rally in front of the White House in Washington D. C. early this week calling for establishment of peace and restoration of democratic polity in Nepal.

According to a statement sent by the DC Rally Organising Committee, the participants called for reconciliation between the monarch and democratic forces in Nepal and urged the US government to continue its support to the Nepalese government to fight Maoist insurgency.

The peaceful demonstration had the objective to offer a show of support for the re-instatement of democratic values and norms, ranging from fundamental rights to the freedom of press and the freedom against preventive detention in Nepal, and to encourage the US administration to continue engaging the current government in Nepal, so as not to alienate the Nepalese government and thereby necessitate more extreme measures, the statement said.

Sunday’s demonstration followed on the heels of submission of a
petition to US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. The petition carried signatures of over 1,350 people. Another petition is also being forwarded to the Nepal government calling for restoration of peace and democracy in the country, the organizers said.