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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2007

CONTACT:    Anil Verma/510 485 3751
Email:            badaonline@gmail.com;
Website:        www.badasf.org;

Burmese Activists to march in front of hundreds of thousands in show of support; Call UN to Act for those struggling for human rights in Burma

(Berkeley, CA) The Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) will march in front of tens of thousands in solidarity with the people of Burma who are struggling against a repressive government.

The 33rd annual Solano Stroll fair will be held on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 from 10 am to 6 pm, in Berkeley, CA. The fair starts off with a parade.

This year, to celebrate our culture, BADA will march with Burmese drums and dance troops. We will carry the photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma to highlight the increasingly serious situation developing in Burma. The group will include an exiled elected Member of Parliament, former political prisoners, student activists and community activists.

BADA's presence in the parade will be dedicated to those are being arrested in Burma during ongoing peaceful walking demonstrations that started two weeks ago.

Burma has been ruled by successive military regimes since 1962. After nationwide pro-democracy uprising in 1988, the military held an election in 1990, which was won landslide by National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the military continue to oppress instead of handing over the power to NLD.

"The oppression and brutality of this regime is beyond what words can describe." Said Maung Maung Latt, a board member of BADA and an exiled elected Member of Parliament representing NLD. Myanmar's junta has beaten and detained scores of activists and used gangs of hired thugs in Rangoon, the capital, to curtail a rare wave of protests last month that began after fuel prices were raised overnight by as much as 500 percent.

Peaceful protests are spreading quickly in Burma, but only to be cracked down violently. In the latest crackdown in Pakokku, a city in upper Burma, monk-demonstrators were captured with roping, tied up and beaten, angering much of the population of 50 million. The military also fired warning shots. In 1988 nationwide uprising, hundreds of peaceful protesters were shot to death in the streets of Burma by the same military.

"We march in the parade to show our solidarity with all the people of Burma. The military must stop crackdowns and start responding positively to people's demands. We apple to the United Nations, United States and the international community to take swift and effective measures before more blood are being shed in Burma," he added.

After the parade, BADA will have food and information booths with Burmese food and drinks, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi posters and buttons, Burmese musical instruments and music CDs and information materials. The booths will be located near the Longs drugstore at 1377 Solano Ave, Albany, CA.

Dear All,

Please join BADA in the SOLANO STROLL PARADE on Sunday, September 9, 2007.

THE PARADE STARTS AT 10:00 AM THIS YEAR - NOT 11:00!

All BADA members are invited to participate in the parade. Feel free to show up that morning, but to grantee your spot please tell us ahead of time and confirm. (Ko Wai Phyoe at 314 402 1255 or email feedback@badasf.org). We'll be carrying the BADA banner, Free Burma Banner and photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other prisoners in Burma.

(That is just next to the ANDRONICO’S FOOD MARKET that is facing SOLANO AVENUE at 1850 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707)
BADA PARDAE NUMBER IS #53
Look for people with Burmese dresses or drums.

DRESS, SIGNS AND BANNERS

1. Please wear Burmese dress to celebrate our culture
2. We will have Banners and signs for you to help carry.
3. You are encouraged to bring large photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Ko Naing and other prisoners

4. We will need some of you to volunteer and carry some BADA banner and Free Burma banner

BADA BOOTHS LOCATION

We will have food and information booths, which are next to each other and will be at 1377 Solano Avenue, Albany, CA opposite of Longs Drugs store. WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Stop by our booths to say “HI”, to volunteer, and to support our awareness and fundraising efforts. In the food booth, we will have some Burmese food to purchase: Burmese Style Rice with Chicken Curry Potato; and Water, Juice and Drinks.

In the information booth, we will have updated BADA brochures, posters, buttons, and display of Burmese musical instruments Pat Waing and Saung Gauk; and music CDs.