The protestors who represented the consortium of Sri Lankan Associations in New York held placards which carried slogans demanding "UN Hands off Sri Lanka", "UN refrain from selective approaches", "Sri Lanka does not need unsolicited advice" etc. The protestors distributed handbills to the large crowds that thronged the Dag Hammarskjold Park opposite the UN Headquarters where the demonstration took place. There was a visible presence of the international media.

A representative of the protestors handed over a memorandum to a representative of the UN Secretary-General’s Office of the UN Headquarters and engaged in a conversation with UN officials. The protestors carried Sri Lankan flags and banners and chanted slogans for several hours gaining attention of UN delegations and the large number of tourists that daily visit the UN Headquarters.