Notes about Free Burma Report & Strategy

We had a really neat day at the park talking to people about the situation in Burma. I was surprised that some folks were not that aware, while others discussed with us whether or not there was really anything we can do to be effective.

We sent 24 handmade postcards with photos of the horrorible acts by the Myanmar government to various officials, but more than that we educated ourselves and each other.  This is really the time of greatest hope for a free Burma in decades, and if the international community keeps the pressure on there is some hope for the brave protesters who are now in prison.

See the bottom of this article for some addresses to send letters to.

I asked Thelma from the http://uscampaignforburma.org what our strategy should be at this point. Read on for her inspiring message:
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The World Marches For Burma
The Fight Continues

Dear Golda,

The Global Day of Action for Burma was a major success. Within a week, we and other organizations were able to organize events in 35 countries around the world, with  well over one hundred events happening in the US alone.  Images and news articles of thousands of people wearing red, marching through the streets of the world capitals, are appearing all over the internet. In two weeks time Burma has gone from being a country that no one has ever heard of to an issue that is talked about by the world's major leaders and media.

On Friday, Jack Healey and the Human Rights Action, with support from us, spearheaded a press conference with actor Jim Carrey near the UN calling for the Security Council to pass a global arms embargo on Burma's military junta. Carrey made it clear that no country should be shipping weapons to a military regime that only uses guns on its own people.  At the conference he called for the UN Security Council to do more.

Friday was also the National Campus Day of Action for Burma which was the kick off Students for Burma.  Our new student group is working to unite students at universities across the US together for Burma. Events happened at over 70 campuses on Friday, and more are joining the movement every day.  Their goal is to raise awareness of their campus as well as to make sure their universities are not doing business with companies that support Burma's regime. Your university can join in on this movement- just email me at thelma@uscampaignforburma.org

Some see the protests inside Burma as smashed, but many monks and other leaders say it is just the beginning.

A leading monk of the All Burma Monk's Alliance (ABMA), in hiding in Burma, participated in an international conference via satellite phone.  He read from a statement proclaiming that if China vetoed any action on Burma at the UN Security Council then the ABMA would make a serious call for the world to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We will continue to support the these monks who bravely lead the "Saffron Revolution".  

The global movement for a free Burma has never been stronger before and we will be leading serious international campaigns to cut the lifelines of the Burmese regime - China, the jewelry industry,and more. Here's what you can do:

Show your support for the boycott of the Olympics if China does not change it's policy. Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams and other Nobel Peace Prize winners have stated that they will boycott the Beijing games. The immoral actions of the Chinese government are tainting the Olympic spirit and making the Olympics a monument to cruelty.

- 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

- 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

Continue to alert those around you about the situation inside Burma. Start a chapter, hold a rally, show a movie. Global Attention on Burma is Vital! - Take Action

-Thelma Young

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When researching for places to write to, I didn't see a list recommended, so I collected this list (plus our local House and Senate members). We sent multiple postcards with horrific photos to these addresses, plus handwritten notes.

The Honorable Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
C/o the Honorable Zhou Wenzhong
Chinese Ambassador to the United States
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong
Chinese Ambassador to the United States
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

PM Manmohan Singh,
7, Race Course Road
New Delhi - 110011
INDIA

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Also, please make sure to sign the online petitions!
Security Council
United Nations Plaza, 24th floor.
New York, NY 10017

President Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
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