Australian Fashion Group Announces Burma Trade Ban
No more catwalks in Rangoon!
Trial of Burmese-American to begin
There really is no going home.
Burma, Bangladesh in Warship Standoff
Another game of who's got more guns (Sounds like a video game)
Burmese elections set for next year. So what?
Yay for opinionated people!
Burmese Trafficking Victims Freed in Raid
Thailand gets a "B" for improvement!
Than Shwe Meets India’s Army Chief
The bad news is...
Thank you for tuning in for an EXTRA portion of Burma news this week! Until next time,
Anne K Lynch
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Burma VJ
Sorry for the delay here! I'm kind of all over the place this weekend.
Thursday at 5:30, the documentary "Burma VJ" was shown at Katzen as part of the annual Human Rights Film Series (next week is a documentary about Wangari Maathai. Unrelated, but still cool!). I had never seen the documentary, and to be honest I think few have because only the film makers have the right to show it. In summary, it told the story of the Saffron Revolution-- from its roots in the unrest of the people caused by a wild increase in gas prices to the cataclysmic end-- from the point of view of "Joseph." He's part of the Democratic Voice of Burma, a news organization the sneaks footage out of Burma (no easy task). We never see Joseph's face, but his narration over a compilation of film paints a clear picture of his role, the role of DVB, and the role of the monks during the Saffron Revolution. Of particular interest (to me anyways) was the choice not to edit out the footage their cameras recorded while hidden in plastic bags, duffel bags, and jacket pockets.
The images were both startling and enlightening, particularly afterwords when one of the monks, U Gawasita, said that the film didn't begin to show just how bad the situation actually was. The monks explained that the monks of Burma hadn't planned on joining the sudden fervor of protests but that they joined because of their duty to the people. They further explained reasons why they thoroughly disapprove of the 2008 Constitution of Burma (and the manner in which it was passed). We (the audience) and the panel discussed topics relating to the film and Burma for about an hour-- even the translator, who was a student protester in 1988, got his two cents in.
All in all, a successful event!
Thursday at 5:30, the documentary "Burma VJ" was shown at Katzen as part of the annual Human Rights Film Series (next week is a documentary about Wangari Maathai. Unrelated, but still cool!). I had never seen the documentary, and to be honest I think few have because only the film makers have the right to show it. In summary, it told the story of the Saffron Revolution-- from its roots in the unrest of the people caused by a wild increase in gas prices to the cataclysmic end-- from the point of view of "Joseph." He's part of the Democratic Voice of Burma, a news organization the sneaks footage out of Burma (no easy task). We never see Joseph's face, but his narration over a compilation of film paints a clear picture of his role, the role of DVB, and the role of the monks during the Saffron Revolution. Of particular interest (to me anyways) was the choice not to edit out the footage their cameras recorded while hidden in plastic bags, duffel bags, and jacket pockets.
The images were both startling and enlightening, particularly afterwords when one of the monks, U Gawasita, said that the film didn't begin to show just how bad the situation actually was. The monks explained that the monks of Burma hadn't planned on joining the sudden fervor of protests but that they joined because of their duty to the people. They further explained reasons why they thoroughly disapprove of the 2008 Constitution of Burma (and the manner in which it was passed). We (the audience) and the panel discussed topics relating to the film and Burma for about an hour-- even the translator, who was a student protester in 1988, got his two cents in.
All in all, a successful event!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
News girl returns with more updates!
Howdy one and all! News should be free and organized. One out of two isn't a bad start!
Landslides in Burma kill three people
"...the fatalities occurred on Saturday in the southernmost town of Kawthaung, which borders Thailand."
Foster homes sought for Burmese youth
We can help Burma without even going there!
Suu Kyi in Burma government talks
"Reports suggest she has softened her views on sanctions in recent times, concluding that they are adversely affecting the lives of ordinary Burmese."
Overview of Burma sanctions
A quick reference, from BBC
Also, come see "Burma VJ" on Thursday! 5:30PM! Katzen! IT'S FREE!!!! And some of our good friends, U Gawasita and U Agga Nya (monks from Burma) will be there! Watch the trailer.
Signing off,
Anne K Lynch/ news-bane of your existence
Landslides in Burma kill three people
"...the fatalities occurred on Saturday in the southernmost town of Kawthaung, which borders Thailand."
Foster homes sought for Burmese youth
We can help Burma without even going there!
Suu Kyi in Burma government talks
"Reports suggest she has softened her views on sanctions in recent times, concluding that they are adversely affecting the lives of ordinary Burmese."
Overview of Burma sanctions
A quick reference, from BBC
Also, come see "Burma VJ" on Thursday! 5:30PM! Katzen! IT'S FREE!!!! And some of our good friends, U Gawasita and U Agga Nya (monks from Burma) will be there! Watch the trailer.
Signing off,
Anne K Lynch/ news-bane of your existence
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
First news on the Senate protest
Hiya folks! If you made it to the protest of the Senate Foreign Relations Asia subcommittee meeting today, you are awesome! If you did not, you're still awesome, but we hope to see you next time around! I checked the web news outlets and here's a nice sum-up of what's been going on.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Welcome new Burma-news readers! And winks to the ol' loyalists!
Ta da! Welcome to this week's edition of your AU Burma Wire! With all the latest Burma news, who could complain? (That's not an invitation, btw)
Burma Embassy Protesters Mark 2nd Anniversary of Military Crackdown
"Protesters have demonstrated in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to mark the second anniversary of the military crackdown on Buddhist monk-led calls for democracy." [Don't ask me why it's in present tense, I've no idea]
China Urges Burma to Protect Rights of Chinese Nationals
Because we all know how well the junta treats Burmese Nationals...
Embracing Burma's Generals
(op-ed) And you thought the Wall Street Journal only covered economic news these days!
U.S. Planning New Overtures to Burma
"Increased Humanitarian Aid, Round of Talks Aimed at Improving Relations"
Some other updates:
Wednesday, Sept 30 there will be a protest for Burma at the Congress building. If interested, please meet outside Union Station at 1PM, I believe by the fountain (if you see people in green shirts, good). If you want more information, which of course you do since you're highly educated activist types, try here.
Next Thursday at 5:30PM (methinks in Kay's basement) there will be a showing of the video "Burma VJ." You should see it, movies are fun.
Anyways, it's been great chatting!
Anne K Lynch (aka Current Events Coordinator, although I think just 'news girl' would suffice)
Burma Embassy Protesters Mark 2nd Anniversary of Military Crackdown
"Protesters have demonstrated in front of the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok to mark the second anniversary of the military crackdown on Buddhist monk-led calls for democracy." [Don't ask me why it's in present tense, I've no idea]
China Urges Burma to Protect Rights of Chinese Nationals
Because we all know how well the junta treats Burmese Nationals...
Embracing Burma's Generals
(op-ed) And you thought the Wall Street Journal only covered economic news these days!
U.S. Planning New Overtures to Burma
"Increased Humanitarian Aid, Round of Talks Aimed at Improving Relations"
Some other updates:
Wednesday, Sept 30 there will be a protest for Burma at the Congress building. If interested, please meet outside Union Station at 1PM, I believe by the fountain (if you see people in green shirts, good). If you want more information, which of course you do since you're highly educated activist types, try here.
Next Thursday at 5:30PM (methinks in Kay's basement) there will be a showing of the video "Burma VJ." You should see it, movies are fun.
Anyways, it's been great chatting!
Anne K Lynch (aka Current Events Coordinator, although I think just 'news girl' would suffice)
Friday, September 25, 2009
AU SCB Returns to the Blogosphere!
Hello all! After a year of inactivity, AU's Student Campaign for Burma is returning to the blogosphere, and couldn't be more excited. With any luck, http://auburma.blogspot.com/ will become your hub for information, news, and events as we work towards democracy in Burma. Let's start off with this announcement:
Dear Washingtonians,Senator Jim Webb is hosting a hearing on Burma policy. We want to make sure
that the democracy movement is well represented and that the Junta's crimes
against humanity are discussed.
We will have to get there early in order to secure seats. Please meet us at
the fountain in front of Union Station at 1pm sharp. We will give out
T-shirts with a strong message for Webb and head over to the hearing
together.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.Hope to see you there!
Interested? See this to learn more and e-mail us at AUBurma@gmail.com if you want to attend. The more, the merrier!
Toodles!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Invitation!
Burma Freedom marchers originating from Portland, Oregon; two Buddhist monks; and four activists are arriving to our area on Sunday September 14 evening in commemoration of 20 th anniversary of the 1988 September 18 bloody massacre and the first anniversary of Saffron Revolution.
Please join these freedom marchers on,
Demonstration rallies on September 16 and 17 afternoon at 3:00 PM at illegal SPDC Embassy in 2300 S Street Washington DC, then march to Embassy of China (it's a few blocks away).
Demonstration rallies on September 16 and 17 afternoon at 3:00 PM at illegal SPDC Embassy in 2300 S Street Washington DC, then march to Embassy of China (it's a few blocks away).
Rally in front of the White House on September 18 afternoon at 3:00 PM.
**** Food, drinks and expenses donation are welcome
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