Yes, apart from NTV and Samacharpattra reporting that there were 1000 people at the rally -- joke bhanna pani atti hunchha ni -- and few unofficial mouthpieces of the pro-king camp in the US halla foo-ko-ing that there were upto 300 participants (liar, liar...timiharu ko turi on fire!), I am happy to notice no significant attention has been given to the rally. As I said, here could not have been more than 90 there, which is no big deal at all considering the facts that they were supposed to have converged from THREE cities, and that it was held on a weekend. And it lacked support from ANY prominent fugures from Nepali political/social circles in NY, which is noteworthy because the rally was held in NY. How can anyone claim it to be a GRAND success? The following is copied and pasted from mass email circulating, reported from the head of the Boston delegation at the NY Rally: ****************************** Nepalese Diaspora Hold Huge Peace Rally in NYC Tuesday, 29 March 2005, 3:30 PM Press Release: Nepalese Diaspora Hold Huge Peace Rally in New York New York, March 27, 2005 The rally represented almost all ethnic groups of Nepal including Gurungs, Limbus, Magars, Newars, Sherpas, and Bhramins, Chhetris and others. The rally participants included a number of professionals. A large group of people came by bus from Washington, DC and Boston. The participants in the rally had over eighty placards and three five feet by three feet banners. The placards and banners had many slogans which said? Long live Nepal America Friendship? The rally carried fifteen large flags of Nepal and a lot of small flags. The welcome address to the group was given by Mina Shrestha. Shasi Gurung sang the Nepalese National song. The following individuals addressed the group about the desire of the Nepalese people to live in peace: Rajaram Poudel, Pralhad KC, Govinda Giri, Dilnath Giri, Netra Lal Shrestha. Nirakar Man Singh Regmi read a patriotic poem. The function was coordinated by Bhup Narayan Gharti Magar. Five of the participants registered a petition in the UN Headquarters. The petition was signed by 1550 Nepalese Diaspora and friends of Nepal. In addition, about fifty of the rally participants submitted a petition to Nepal? Permanent Mission at the UN Headquarters. Despite the cold weather, the participants seem to be very enthusiastic and shouted slogans, Long Live Nepal America Friendship, We condemn terrorism, Punish the Corrupt Criminals, We support the HM King's Actions. The whole operation is being coordinated by US Committee for Peace and Democracy in Nepal. The committee has forty members representing forty states of the USA. The members of the committee and other volunteers have collected over 1558 signatures in support of the petition submitted to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. In addition, the committee submitted a petition to President George W. Bush and Secretary State Rice. ***************************** This email is followed by highlights of the petition to the UN Secreatary General and other dignitaries.