Faces of the Burma Struggle

Dear Friends,

Now more than ever, people in Burma need to know that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom and human rights. The military junta waits for the international pressure for political change that has followed the brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrations last month to dissipate. We cannot let this happen.

Join us on November 4, 2007 at the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington , D.C . from 5:00 -7:30 pm. Come hear and be moved by personal stories and reflections from people who have been deeply involved in the Burma Struggle. Come honor the many faces of this struggle.

In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech to a crowd at this site. Join us in delivering our message of compassion and hope to the world in support of a free and democratic Burma .

Please feel free to share this announcement with others.

Use Your Liberty to Promote Ours
- Aung San Suu Kyi

Panty Power

Here's something easy and outrageous that you can do to support a great cause.

Join the GLOBAL ACTION—

POST YOUR PANTIES FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM IN BURMA.

The Burmese regime is not only brutal but very superstitious. The generals believe that if a man has contact with a woman's panties or sarong they are robbed of their power or "hpon". Here's your chance to help end Military Rule in Burma.

Women, it's time to clean out the closet! And men, just grab a few undies from your friend, girlfriend/wife, or mom! MAIL YOUR PANTIES TO THE EMBASSY OF MYANMAR. Make sure they get there on Friday November 9, 2007. Wewant maximum impact!

Address: 2300 S Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20008

And for a special touch, WRITE A NOTE ON THE PANTY. Be Creative!

Suggestion: Than Shwe, Your "Hpon" Be Gone!

Flagging on the Quad at AU

Today we put 2,000 flags into the ground on the quad at AU, representing the 100,000 protesters in Burma. With the red flags representing the monks leading the protests, the white flags on either side represent the people that we saw in photos linking arms surrounding the monks. Part of our display includes mini signs with information on the number of political prisoners in Burma, the widespread use of landmines, the use of rape as a weapon of war, the number of child soldiers in Burma, and many other facts.

All day long we saw people stop and stare at the numbers...for many people this is the first time they are really seeing information about Burma and realizing the severity of the situation. Our hope is that these flags will educate our campus community, and inspire more individuals to get involved in the Free Burma movement. The flags will be up until Wednesday evening. If you're in the DC area, we invite you to our campus to come see the display, as well as contact our group for more information.

Our meetings are every Wednesday night at 8:10pm in Kay Basement. For more information, contact AUBurma[at]gmail[dot]com.

Doctoral Dissertation Defense

Oral Defense of Doctoral Dissertation Al B. Fuertes

"Community-based Warviews, Resiliency and Healing Among the Internally Displaced Persons in Mindanao and the Karen Refugees on the Thai-Burmese Border"

Monday, November 5th, 20071:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Truland Bldg., Room 555 George Mason University, Arlington Campus

Action Items from Amnesty International

Influence China to play a positive role in Burma!

Influence India to play a positive role in Burma!

Female Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Rally for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

These six women (Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire) banded together in 2006 with the desire to promote justice, equality, and peace worldwide. One of the areas the devote attention to is Burma, and that attention has increased in recent months.

On Wednesday, the Nobel Peace Prize recipients jointly requested that the United Nations take immediate action to guarantee the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. She is the only imprisoned Nobel laureate.

Read more of the story here, and visit the Nobel Women's Initiative site here.

Candlelit Vigil at AU

Candlelit Vigil at AU

Join our candlelit vigil for Burma at American University!

We'll be sharing the latest news from Burma, updates on UN action, what we're doing on AU's campus, and how you can get involved in the Saffron Revolution.

Kay Steps

Wednesday, October 24th, 8:00pm

Questions? Email us: AUBURMA[at]gmail[dot]com

Rally at the State Department, Oct. 26th at 1pm

Show the Burmese Military Junta that the world is always watching!
Demand that the International Community take action immediately!
Demonstrate to the people of Burma that you support them!

Free Burma Rally

We will mark the one-month anniversary of the Burmese Military Junta’s
crackdown on the peaceful monks and demonstrators of Burma.
Fri, 26 Oct 2007 at 1pm

At the U.S. State Department (2201 C Street NW, Washington D.C. 20520)
Members of the Burmese community from GA, NC, VA, IN,
OH, PA, NY, MD & Washington, D.C. will join this event.

Contact: burmamustbefree07@yahoo.com
571.235.4035 or 301.520.4160

An Evening with the Leaders of the Burmese Democracy Movement in Exile

If you have been listening or watching the news lately, you may have heard of the pro democracy demonstration in Burma that was brutally silenced, just weeks ago. This demonstration intensified and resulted brutal murder of Buddhist monks and arrest of many others. The internet and many other media outlets were shut down by the Burmese government during this period. Since then, information of what transpired is to some degree unknown, but hopefully not forgotten.

DCIC is very pleased to have two high profile leaders of the 'Democracy Movement in Burma' gracing our event. They will be presenting an up-to-date insiders talk on the ongoing struggle with the Burmese authorities.

Join us on Saturday October 20th for an unforgettable evening and share the sumptuous food, company and engage in a thought-provoking, eye-opening discussion.If you plan to attend, please reply to the Evite.

Those who want to get free admission by contributing to the potluck dinner must reply to the Evite stating what type of dish they will bring, and must arrive no later than 6.30pm. Members who want to receive free admission in return for working one of the volunteer shifts must also reply to the Evite, and must arrange the volunteer shift in advance by emailing Tony at tony@dcinternational.org or calling 703-475-8328.

Friday Forum at AU on Burma Activism

The International Development Program Student Association (IDPSA) Presents:

BURMA - Prospects for Social Activism

October 19, 2007 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm SIS Lounge

Kyi May Kaung Writer, Visual Artist, and Private Consultant on Burma Issues

Steven Hansch Professor, American University

Mike Haack Volunteer, US Campaign for Burma

Plus a short film and possibly more!!!

(202) 885-1695 • idfridayforum@yahoo.com • www.idpsa.org

Come to Jamnesty, a benefit concert at AU!

Jamnesty Benefit Concert!

WHEN? Saturday, October 20th 2007, Doors open at 6pm
WHERE? The Tavern, MGC
HOW MUCH? $5 Proceeds go to Youth Solidarity of Burma www.givetoburma.org

WHO'S PLAYING?
Five Bands and a Rap Artist
(In order)
Alexis George
The Whips
Don't Ask
Agent and the Patient
A Papier Mache Monster
(The Sauce <> performing in between acts)

Sponsored by Amnesty International and AU Student Campaign for Burma

Questions? Email auburma@gmail.com

October 13th Protest in DC

Wow, great turnout!! Some 200+ people joined together to protest the ongoing atrocities by the Burmese government. A number of inspiring and compelling speakers talked about the length of the regime's rule and the importance of continued international pressure until we see some ACTION taken against the military junta.

After some great speakers and rallying cries at the Burmese Embassy, the group marched to the White House. We stopped in front of the Indian Embassy for a bit, pointing out the bitter irony of Ghandi's nonviolent methods of peace with the Indian government's choice to supply the military with fighter helicopters.

Next we marched through Dupont Circle and down Connecticut Ave until reaching the White House, where we held a candlelit vigil.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Amnesty International & Johns Hopkins University Event

The Southeast Asia Studies Program and Amnesty International Presents

“Burma’s Human Rights Challenges”

with Jonathan D. Farrar Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State

Will Davis Director, United Nations Information Center

T. Kumar Advocacy Director for Asia & Pacific, Amnesty International USA

Monday, October 15th, 2007 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Rome Building, Rome Auditorium 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Johns Hopkins University – SAIS, Washington, DC

Please RSVP to sea-sais@jhu.edu or phone:202.663.5837 or Fax: 202.663.7711

Never-before broadcast footage from Burma

This video was taken by an underground reporter from Al-Jazeera in Rangoon during the massive protests. It is absolutely incredible!

http://www.bmnetwork.org/AlJazeera1.html

There are two videos, watch both!

Human Rights Watch supports arms embargo by UNSC

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch called for UN Security Council action on Burma.

“It’s time for the Security Council to end all sales and transfers of arms to a government that uses repression and fear to hang onto power,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Instead of continuing to protect Burma’s abusive generals, China and Russia should join other Security Council members to cut off the instruments of repression.”

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/10/10/burma17066.htm

Video of Dr. Cynthia's Clinic

This video was posted on CNN.com yesterday. It highlights the amazing care that Dr. Cynthia's clinic provides on the Thai-Burma border, and the needless suffering that so many Burmese people endure.

Peace Walk from Grafton, NY to UN, NYC

Peace Walk for Burma
Support Peace and Reconciliation in Burma

Grafton, NY to the United Nations in New York City
October 13-24, 2007

We are walking in solidarity with the monks and people of Burma who risk their lives every day for freedom and democracy.


Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

Saturday Oct. 13 Grafton Peace Pagoda àTroy
Sunday Oct.14 TroyàAlbany
Monday Oct. 15 AlbanyàCastleton
Tuesday Oct. 16 CastletonàCatskill
Wednesday Oct.17 CatskillàWoodstock
Thursday Oct. 18 WoodstockàHighland
Friday Oct. 19 HighlandàNewburgh
Saturday Oct. 20 NewburghàTomskin Cove
Sunday Oct. 21 Tomskin CoveàNyack
Monday Oct. 22 NyackàFort Lee, NJ
Tuesday Oct. 23 Fort Lee, NJàNYC Burmese Embassy
Wednesday Oct. 24 Burmese Embassy-UN Peace Vigil

We will walk a total of 215 miles, beginning each day at 8 AM and typically walking 15-18 miles per day. Feel free to join the walk at any point for any length of time.
Please respect that the walk will be free of drugs, alcohol and weapons. If you plan to join us for more than a day, please bring a sleeping bag.

For more information:
*Heidi Ricks (518)-885-1806/ rickshei@capital.net
*Grafton Peace Pagoda: Jun (518)-658-9301
*Cell phone for Peace Walk (518) 605-8506

Initiated by Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order/Grafton Peace Pagoda and
The Capital District Burmese Community



“Please use your liberty to promote ours” 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi who is now under house arrest in Burma

Candlelit Vigil this Saturday

Free Burma Rally & Candlelit Vigil

Meet at the Burmese Embassy at 5pm
2300 S Street NW
Washington, DC

Then we'll head to the White House for a CandlelightVigil held by members of the Vietnamese American Community who support of the people of Burma.

***Action Items***

We know we need to take action. Here are some quick steps we can take to keep the pressure on China and keep Burma in the spotlight.

To citizens of the United States:

Write your Representative and get them to support House Resolution 610. This resolution calls for a US boycott of the Beijing Olympics if the military regime does not change its policies on Burma. Find your Representative here

To citizens of the World:

Please send emails to ticketsupport@beijing2008.cn Tell them that you won't buy any tickets and will boycott the Beijing 2008 Olympics, since Beijing is protecting and supporting the brutal military junta of Burma.

Here is a template:

Dear Sirs/Madams,

I am very interested in purchasing tickets to some of the events at next year's Olympic games. However I cannot, in good conscience, attend the Beijing Olympics unless your government uses its influence to improve the political situation in Burma. China has substantial economic interests in the country, provides large amounts of economic aid, and invests heavily in infrastructure projects there.

Additionally, your government provides extensive logistical support to Burma's military government. All this make China uniquely placed to influence it. The people of Burma have, in a very peaceful manner, insisted that their rights be respected. I ask no more of your government than that it cease its support for the current regime, and encourage dialog with the democratically elected representatives of the Burmese nation.

I, the Burmese people, and the world would be grateful for your assistance in this matter. Your courage will go a long way towards making the 2008 Olympics a success.

With sincere thanks,

_______________________________

Another point of action for all of us:

Don't forget to sign this petition, as well as the other petitions listed on the right hand side of this page. Forward this link on to your friends and family. Ordinary people matter, and together we can make a difference!

Let's keep up the good work!!

News Coverage and photos of Oct. 6 Protest in DC

Just saw this article from CNN. They got a few facts wrong, such as the number for people there (closer to 300), and they called the country Myanmar in the article, but other than that it's not bad.

Also, check out these videos, including:

Jeremy Woodrum from US Campaign for Burma talking about UNSC not taking action.

Mr. Bo Hla-Tint speaking out the outrages in Burma.




**Photo credits to William Hughes**
Demonstrators marching to the Chinese Embassy


Buddhist monks led the march from the Burmese Embassy to the Chinese Embassy.




More news coverage will be posted soon.

Boycott Chevron to support Burma!

A recent article by Amy Goodman, host of the nationally syndicated radio program Democracy Now!, spoke out about Chevron's involvement in propping up the Burmese regime. The vast deposits of oil that Burma sells to Chevron is a MAJOR source of funding for the junta.

What about US sanctions against Burma? Doesn't that prevent Chevron from doing business there? Sadly, no.

"According to Marco Simons, U.S. legal director at EarthRights International: "Sanctions haven't worked because gas is the lifeline of the regime. Before Yadana went online, Burma's regime was facing severe shortages of currency. It's really Yadana and gas projects that kept the military regime afloat to buy arms and ammunition and pay its soldiers."
The U.S. government has had sanctions in place against Burma since 1997. A loophole exists, though, for companies grandfathered in. Unocal's exemption from the Burma sanctions has been passed on to its new owner, Chevron."

You can find her article here.

Great Op-Ed Calling on China to stop the violence in Burma and More Protest Resources

**We do support the global internet protest on the Internet being silenced in Burma, but in light of our upcoming protest on Saturday, we needed to post some more information. **

First, this op-ed was written by Patrick Cook-Deegan, the Northeast Regional Student Coordinator for the US Campaign for Burma.

Second, please refer to this website http://dcburmaprotest.org/ for more information on the protest this Saturday in Washington, DC. They should also be posting our event on the Avaaz.Org site shortly, and we already have an event listed at USCampaignforBurma.org. Additionally, please join our facebook group at http://american.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5716963366. Don't forget to wear red, and to bring signs, posters, and your support for a Free Burma!!!

Third, if you are in the DC area and are attending the protest this Saturday, a group of students from American University will be meeting on the steps of Kay Spiritual Center at 11am to head over to the Burmese Embassy together. Join us for coffee and donuts as we get fired up and call for a Free Burma!

Questions? Email AUBurma@gmail.com

PROTEST and march this SATURDAY, Oct. 6th at Noon

Join AU Student Campaign for Burma, US Campaign for Burma, and a multitude of other activist groups in the DC area for a protest and march in support of the Saffron Revolution!

Connect with other people going at http://gwu.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5716963366

Where: Meet at the Burmese Embassy (2300 S St NW) at 12:00pm on Saturday. March starts at 12:30pm to the Chinese Embassy, and then to the Indian Embassy.

What to bring/wear: Please bring posters and signs in support of the Burmese people. Also, wear red to show your solidarity with the Burmese people. Why red? The Buddhist monks (who initially led the protests) wear maroon robes.

Addresses and Directions:

Burmese Embassy (Meet here at 12:00pm)

2300 S Street NWWashington, DC 20008

The Metro Bus Masaschusetts Avenue lines N2, N4, and N6 all run from American University to S Street, NW (north of Dupont Circle)

Directions to the Burmese Embassy from the Dupont Circle Station on the Red Line:

Exit station using CONN AVE & Q ST NW exit
Walk approx. 2 blocks NW on Connecticut Ave NW.
Turn left on S St NW.
Walk approx. 2 blocks W on S St NW.
To view a map, please visit wmata.com and use their trip planner feature.

Questions? Please email us at AUBurma@gmail.com

Meditation for Peace and Democracy in Burma

Thursday, October 4
5:00-8:00 PM

Please join us outside the Burmese Embassy in Washington, DC (2300 S Street, NW) for a meditation for peace and democracy in Burma. The meditation will focus on loving-kindness directed to honor and support the monks, nuns and laypeople who are courageously marching for peace and democracy in Burma, and to help free the hearts and minds of the Burmese generals of greed, hatred and fear.

Please wear red/maroon shawl or covering, if possible.

Sponsored by the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 3rd at 8:10pm in Kay Basement. We'll be outlining our upcoming events, sharing news, and rallying our efforts for Burma! See ya there!!

Questions? Email AUBurma@gmail.com

Photos from DC Protests, 9-28-07

Outside the Burmese embassy




We had an incredible turnout of support at the protest this past Friday! A crowd numbering 400-500 people rallied at the Burmese embassy, then marched north to the Chinese embassy. Buddhist monks, Burmese activists, students from AU, GWU, Georgetown, BYU, and Harvard, demonstrators from North Carolina, and many more walked, chanted, held signs, and demanded Burma's freedom.


Check out the media coverage from WUSA9, NBC4, and a Vietnamese TV Station. Don't forget print media! Here's an article from our very own AU Eagle, and this article in the Washington Post.


Even more important than media coverage in the US was the transmission and news of the DC protest reaching activists inside Burma.


We must stand in solidarity with the Burmese people and let them know how much we support them. Here are some great pictures from the protest. All photo credit goes to MK McKenna.





Leading the demonstrators in protest



On the march to the Chinese embassy, led by Buddhist monks



Trying to stay on the sidewalk, our group was several blocks long!!




The world is watching!!



Speaking out in front of the Chinese embassy






Symbol of the Burmese Democracy Movement: The fighting peacock



Getting the attention of Connecticut Ave during rush hour






Protesters in front of the Chinese embassy



Burma, Burma Must be Free! Justice, Peace, Equality!