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CALL TO ACTION!
(Join UN Day, Oct 24, Burma Freedom March in SF and other actions)

 

 

October 24th is the one-month anniversary of the popular uprising against the government of Burma.  It is also United Nations Day, a day when we celebrate the United Nations and its achievements.
 

 This United Nations Day, however, we have to acknowledge only that the UN is failing the people of Burma.  The bloody, brutal crackdown continues.  As world media attention turns away from Burma, the military junta feels free once again to imprison, torture and kill those involved in the demonstrations. 


Archbishop Desmond Tutu calls Burma ‘the new South Africa’ and calls for a sustained campaign that will ultimately result in the Burmese people’s liberation from the dark forces that have ruled their country for too long.  Archbishop Tutu also says, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor’. 


In this spirit, I urge you to take action on behalf of the people of Burma, to do something, however small, to bring about change. 


Below are fifteen things that you can do to support the people of Burma.

   

Fifteen Things You Can Do To Support the Burmese People Against Their Government’s Reign of Terror. 

  1. Pass this email along to other people who will be interested.           
     

  2. Post the Oct 24 UN Day Burma Freedom March flyer where people will see it!  Download here: http://www.badasf.org/2007/PFBMarchOct24-v8.pdf
                                       
    Come to the Burma Freedom March  this coming Wednesday 24th October, United Nations Day from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.  We’ll start with a protest at 4:00 at the Chinese Consulate at 1450  Laguna @ Geary, and at 5:00 March to United Nations Plaza, (Market Street between 7th & 8th) where there will be a rally and multi-faith prayer service from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
     

  3. In addition, sign on a petition calling on the governments of China, Thailand, India, Russia and Singapore to end their political and economic support of the brutal military regime that has for so long been oppressing the people of Burma.

    We will be presenting copies of the petition to the various Consuls General* in San Francisco on Oct 24. The petition can be viewed and signed at:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/the-UN-is-failing-Burma
     

  4. Click through to this petition organized by the US Campaign for Burma
             Petition:  http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/uscampaignforburma/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=730&t=HomePage.dwt
             Home page: www.uscampaignforburma.org
     

  5. Knowledge is power!  Learn more.  Follow this link to an introductory slide show: http://uscampaignforburma.org/slideshow/reallyfinal/intro.htm
     

  6. Sign the petition organized by the good folks at MoveOn.org http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/
     

  7. Get involved!  In the San Francisco Bay Area contact nyuntthan@gmail.com of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) at www.badasf.org to find out how you can help.  Nationally, go to US Campaign for Burma (USCB) www.uscampaignforburma.org to find out how you can do more.
     

  8. Donate!  If you have money but no time, consider a donation to either BADA or any other organizations supporting Burma’s struggle.  Even small donations add up, and everyone can afford a dollar.
     

  9. Boycott corporations that profit from the misery of the Burmese people.  These include Chevron, Daewoo, Nikko Hotels International/Japan Airlines, Siemens, Sumitomo Corporation, Suzuki.  For a comprehensive list of corporations to boycott go to http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/dirty_list/dirty_list.html  Let them know why you have chosen not to do business with them
     

  10. Boycott the Olympics!  The Chinese fund and support the oppression of the Burmese people and have the economic clout to make the government change.  With the Olympics next year the Chinese are very sensitive to public opinion at this point, and as was seen in the case of Darfur, can bring unwilling parties to the negotiating table. Write to top Olympic Partner about Bejing’s blocking UN strong actions on Burma. The list can be viewed here:  http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/facts/programme/sponsors_uk.asp
     

  11. Write a letter to a political prisoner through the Amnesty International letter-writing campaign.
     

  12. Urge George Bush to take action. Go to the Amnesty International website.  The letter is already written for you and it takes just a few minutes to fill in your personal information. http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.2590179/k.C43E/Take_Action_Online/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&aid=9315
     

  13. Urge the United Nations to take stronger, more concerted action.  Contact them at this email address: inquiries@un.org
     

  14. Write to Senior General Than Shwe, the head of the junta, at the following address:
    State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Senior General Thank Shwe, c/o Ministry of Defence, Naypitaw, Myanmar
     

  15. Contact your local government or labor union and ask them to pass a resolution condemning the Burmese government and urging China, India, Thailand, Korea and Japan to do their utmost to force the Burmese government to change.  For more information on how to do this contact ruthgoode@gmail.com