Saturday: International Day of Action on Burma!

[emlev]

From AVAAZ.org:

Saturday Oct 6: A Day of International Action for a Free Burma


The day of action has been organised spontaneously around the world, with coordination through facebook. The information below is mirrored from Facebook: A Day of International Action for a Free Burma, and for those not on Facebook, the information is also on Burma-watch.org

(The following are just the U.S. listings because I think that's what most people on DU will want, followed by the list of other countries that already have actions listed. Please note that this list will be growing, so if you don't see your community here, do check AVAAZ.org and consider planning your own action. Information at that link about planning an action.)

UNITED STATES

*Washington, DC*
Saturday Oct. 6th (12:00-5:00) Start in front of the Burmese Embassy, we then march to the Chinese Embassy, Indian Embassy and the White House. I imagine it will be the same on Sunday as well.

Along with weekend protests, there is a group of activists that have been holding a vigil in front of the Burmese Embassy everyday 24/7.

What to bring/wear: Bring posters, signs and wear red in support of the Burmese people!
Questions? Email [e-mail] or check out our blog at http://auburma.blogspot.com/

Florida -- St Petersburg

11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Straub Park (downtown St Petersburg near The Pier), under the banyan trees just north of the art museum. Metta meditation and chanting at 1:00. Sponsored by Buddhist Peace Fellowship Tampa Bay. For more information visit www.bpf-tampabay.org, or call Rick at 813-850-8168.

*Tempe, Arizona*
1pm-3pm
LOCATION:The Memorial Union, Ventana A (226A), Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 85281
****PLEASE RSVP at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=31477 SO I MAY SEND YOU OUR OFFICAL FLYER*****


*Iowa*
*Des Moines*
Iowa's Des Moines resident Burmese will go on demonstrate to Burma military regime at William Penn University in Oskaloosa on the October 6th.
12:00 PM
William Penn University in Oskaloosa
Wear red

*Ohio*
Athens, Ohio
Athens County Courthouse
Corner of Court St. and E. Washington St.
Saturday, Oct. 6, 12 p.m.
Bring signs, wear red, and show the people of Burma that Athens, Ohio supports their march to freedom! Our hearts and minds are with you. Peace, Love and Liberty!

*California*
Los Angeles
4pm - 7pm
Hollywood Highland, in front of Kodak Theater
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5532238675

Candlelight Vigil for Burma

*DALLAS, TX*
7 PM Candle light vigil
Southern Methodist University
At the flagpole on Bishop Blvd.

*Rochester*
12:00PM Friday, October 5th
SUNY BROCKPORT STUDENT MALL (OUTSIDE THE UNION)
I think this is Rochester, NY
Contact person: Rick B.

*San Francisco:*
Saturday October 6th, 12noon at 12noon at Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco (near the Embarcadero).
Saturday, October 6, has been declared a Day of International Action for Burma

*Hartfort, CT*
Event Info Name: Hartford Vigil for Burma
Host: Erica
Type: Causes - Rally
Time and Place Date: Saturday, October 6, 2007
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Bushnell Park
City/Town: Hartford, CT
Contact Info Email: [e-mail]

*Chicago*
at 12
We will be meeting at 401 N. Michigan Ave,
Chicago, IL to hold a demonstration.


AUSTRALIA

AUSTRIA

BELGIUM

CANADA

FRANCE

GERMANY

INDIA

IRELAND

JAPAN

MALAYSIA

MONGOLIA

NEW ZEALAND

NORWAY

PHILIPPINES

SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH KOREA

SPAIN

SWEDEN

SWITZERLAND

TAIWAN

THAILAND

UNITED KINGDOM

Sign the AVAAZ petition, plan an action, find an action, get more info at AVAZ.org.

For additional resources on supporting the people of Burma, see the DU Burma Resources thread. For an emailable version of these resources, click here.

[emlev]

1. kick

kick

[babylonsister]

2. RECOMMEND! And thanks! nt

[emlev]

4. Thanks.

[seemslikeadream]

3. Free Burma

[emlev]

5. Thanks. I have to be offline for some hours, so could use help keeping this visible. n/t

[Lucinda]

6. K&R - Thanks again emlev!

[emlev]

7. and thank you! n/t

[Lucinda]

15. kicking x2

[Lucinda]

19. ...

[emlev]

8. kick once more before I go...n/t

[EFerrari]

9. K&R

[blondeatlast]

10. Proud to send this to Greatest; which it so richly deserves.

My heart and prayers are with my brothers and sisters.

[seemslikeadream]

11. BURMA: French Company Could Face Charges

BURMA: French Company Could Face Charges
By David Cronin

BRUSSELS, Oct 2 (IPS) - Total, the French energy giant, could face charges of abetting crimes against humanity perpetrated by Burma's military junta.

A federal prosecutor in Belgium has decided to reopen an investigation into a complaint against Total filed by four Burmese refugees, who accuse the firm of giving financial and logistical support during the 1990s to a regime responsible for forced labour, murder, arbitrary executions and torture.

The prosecutor is expected to decide later this month if a criminal prosecution should ensue.

The announcement that the case has been revived was made Oct. 2 by Alexis Deswaef, the refugees' lawyer.

<SNIP>

The complaint is directed at former Total chief Thierry Desmarest and the company's former director of its Burmese operations Hervé Madeo.

Burma's gas industry brought more than 2 billion dollars in revenue to the country's military last year, providing its single largest source of income. Most of this money was generated from just two gasfields, Yetagun and Yadana. The latter, situated in southern Burma, has been developed by a consortium led by Total, since 1992.



http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39496

[emlev]

12. Wow, and what a photo! n/t

[emlev]

13. HERE'S THE CORRECT LINK FOR AVAAZ.ORG

Ooops! In the OP it was missing a slash.

These listings come from AVAAZ.org.

[emlev]

14. Updated list of actions: more towns and cities added:

Here's the list as of 6:25 p.m. Pacific time Friday 10/5:

Contact US Campaign for Burma to sign up to hold a march, vigil or any sort of event in your area- [e-mail]

*Albion, CA*
Highway 1- More details to follow

*Athens, Ohio*
SATURDAY 6th – 12 NOON * Athens County Courthouse, Corner of Court St. and E. Washington St. Bring signs, wear red, and show the people of Burma that Athens, Ohio supports their march to freedom! Our hearts and minds are with you. Peace, Love and Liberty! Questions? Contact Amy Robison at [e-mail]

*Bloomington Indiana*
Protest to be held at noon. The location is the courthouse lawn located at walnut and kirkwood. This is the very center of town and can been seen from campus.

*Boulder* (Canyon and Broadway)
FRIDAY, October 5th, 2007 As part of the
NATIONAL CAMPUS DAY OF ACTION FOR BURMA andGLOBAL DAY OF ACTON FOR BURMA. 5pm Friday, October 5th, 2007 Boulder, CO . Please WEAR RED ON FRIDAY
*candles will be provided. Contact: Nathaniel Vose [e-mail]

*Cincinnati*
SATURDAY 6th 12 NOON, with monks from local monasteries arriving at 1:00 PM. We will meet at Fountain Square Downtown, rain or shine. Everyone is asked to wear a red headband or simply red clothing in support of the monks.

*Chicago*
at 12 (Editor - not sure when… message and admin to clarify please)
We will be meeting at 401 N. Michigan Ave,
Chicago, IL to hold a demonstration.


*Dallas, TX*
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER - Candlelight Vigil for Burma - 7 PM - Southern Methodist University - At the flagpole on Bishop Blvd.- For more information contact me at [e-mail] - http://ubc.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6303537546

*Denver, Colorado*
SATURDAY 6th October -19:00 At the front of Denver Capitol Hill, Broadway and E Colfex Ave

*Des Moines*
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER – 1200pm - Iowa's Des Moines resident Burmese will go on demonstrate to Burma military regime at William Penn University in Oskaloosa. William Penn University in Oskaloosa. Wear red

*Jacksonville, Florida*
FRIDAY Oct. 05 at 12pm-3pm. University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville, FL 32224 In the courtyard near Sbarros.

*St Petersburg, FL*
Oct. 6th. at 10a.m. we're meeting in front of baywalk in downtown st. petersburg, FL to go on a march in solidarity with burma's democracy activists. at 11a.m. we will go to straub park (on beach dr. near museum of fine arts, 3rd ave. NE) to meet up with the buddhist peace fellowship where they will be having information, brainstorming, meditation, and chanting, ending at 2pm. for more info contact jimmy @ [e-mail]

*Tampa, Florida*
USCB Peace Walk in Tampa, Florida
10:00 A.M. on Saturday, Oct. 6th
Meeting in St. Pete in front of Baywalk, 2nd Ave. N. between First and Second streets. Directions: From I-275, Exit 23 to 4th Street. Turn Left on 2nd Ave North.
At 11 a.m. we will be meeting up with the Buddhist Peace Fellowship of Tampa Bay at Straub Park (downtown St Petersburg near The Pier), under the banyan trees just north of the art museum. where there will be Metta meditation and chanting at 1:00.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/t/3074/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=31544

*Hartfort, CT*
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER Hartford Vigil for Burma .Host: Erica : 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Bushnell Park City/Town: Hartford, CT Contact Info Email: [e-mail]

*La Jolla, CA* -NEW-
UCSD Day of Action for Burma
Date: Friday, October 05, 2007
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: UCSD Price Center (9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 )
Contact: [e-mail]

*Los Angeles*
SATURDAY, October 6, 2007. 4:00pm - 6:00pm. In front of Kodak Theater. Hollywood Highland. More details to follow [e-mail] (Htet Wonn Thaw Tar)
(714) 244 - 8712 (Leave me a message if I can't answer and no private calls please)

[NYC]

16. Kick for tomorrow.

[graphixtech]

17. Walking a Stony Path article

Free all the monks and political prisoners!

(If there were a demonstration in the Kansas City area I would definately attend)

Walking a Stony Path
By Yeni
October 5, 2007
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=8904


Opposition activists brave arrest and imprisonment in their campaign for democracy and social justice

Spirits were high as around 500 demonstrators, led by prominent pro-democracy activists, paraded through Rangoon on that fateful day in August. The demonstrators were a happy, optimistic crowd, talking about their hopes for a better life some time in the future.

For some prominent members of the 88 Generation Students group—notably Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Min Zeya—the demonstration would lead to imprisonment. But they were well prepared for it after each spending at least 15 years behind bars for their leadership role in the 1988 uprising.

Although they must have been fully aware that a return to prison awaited them, they refused to remain quiet in the face of the regime’s latest assault on the living standards of a downtrodden people. What they might not have been aware of was the possibility that their protest could become another milestone in Burma’s political history.

The regime is adept at rushing into effect swingeing price increases that it knows will anger the public and perhaps lead to isolated protests that it knows it can easily suppress. But this time it might have underestimated the depth of wrath felt by people who woke up one August morning to find fuel prices had been increased overnight by up to 500 percent. The increases had a knock-on effect on the prices of other daily necessities, adding to the public anger.

Although some observers have suggested that Burma’s military government, the State Peace and Development Council, might introduce neo-liberal-inspired economic reforms, the plain fact is that it is facing a massive budget deficit caused by its own inflationary spending.

A ten-fold increase in the salaries of civil servants and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in such projects as the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, the development of a planned cyber city, Yadanabon, and even a nuclear research reactor were examples of the regime’s profligacy.

It should have come as no surprise that the government had to raise taxes and increase the price of public services to help finance its extravagance.

The effect on the cost of living in a country where the per capita annual income is the equivalent of just US $170 meant nothing to the authoritarian regime.

A UN survey discloses that more than 90 percent of Burma’s population spends 60 to 70 percent of their household income on food. As a result of the recent fuel price hike and its effect on transport costs, the cost of a basket of essential household commodities leapt 35 percent. A typical city worker now has to spend more than half his daily wage of less than 2,000 kyat (US $1.5) in bus fares to and from work.

Popular frustration and anger have given the pro-democracy activists further cause to push the junta to listen to the voice of the people. The junta, however, has reacted by raiding homes, arresting leading opposition members and hunting down those who flee.

It hasn’t been able to stop the wave of demonstrations from spreading throughout the country, though. Now monks have joined in en masse, and the regime is clearly rattled.

The people, supported by the monks, are saying: “Enough is enough.” They are fed up with rising prices, plunging living standards, tired of power cuts and having to use generators to make their own electricity, impatient with inefficient public utility services. And they are tired of a government that takes no heed at all of their grievances.

As U Myint, a Rangoon-based prominent Burmese economist, wrote in an open-letter: “The deterioration in the quality of public utilities, such as electricity, water, sanitation, telephone service and public transport is a bitter pill for consumers.”

Burma’s ruling generals invariably complain that sanctions and the support such international pressure receives from the opposition National League for Democracy and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, have systematically weakened the economy by limiting trade, investment and foreign aid.

It’s true that the lack of access to international aid has fuelled inflation and led to macroeconomic instability. Sanctions should be lifted, but in the meantime the Burmese regime must agree to share power with the democratic leaders and create a business-friendly environment.

If the Burmese regime continues with its current policy, the political and economic situation could lead to chaos and extreme poverty. Without political and economic reforms, it may soon be too late to avoid another 1988 tragedy.

After 19 years in power, the current regime has yet to show that it can shape Burma’s fate alone. The time has come to work for genuine national reconciliation and to take steps towards democracy and prosperity, for the sake of every citizen of Burma.
(end)

[emlev]

18. Could you find three friends to begin a vigil with you?

It's a start, and some of the other people who think, "If there were a demonstration in the Kansas City area I would definately attend" could join you. Particularly if you're somewhere where many of them will see you. I encourage you to give it a try.

[graphixtech]

21. thought provoking comments

I will be there in spirit and meditate for a peaceful,
beneficial resolution for all of the Burmese people.

Interestingly, one of the linked articles mentions
that the pro-democracy opposition is ultimately seeking
reconciliation with the authoritarian regime. This factor
seems like it is (should be) an important distinction.


At DVB, three thought provoking comments especially stood out at me:

http://english.dvb.no/letstalk.php
____________________________
lalela1616 (USA)

These are sad times for Burma and the Burmese people, but more than this, these are sad times for the world. It is sad to be a citizen of a world where we do not manage to protect and defend those who have suffered for so many years and finally find the courage, out of desperation, to stand up against their oppressors.

The saffron robes of the monks, a symbol of the power of the quiet voices, has hit the world during these last weeks, and the hearts of many have gone out, wishing, pleading to help. The saffron robes touched so many of us, and yet, today we are left with the feeling- we can do nothing. And the courage shown by the young men in Burma is in vain.

I am ashamed to be a citizen of a world that accepts that their courage is in vain. I am ashamed of the Olympic committee who does not rise to the occasion and use their power to pressure China. I am ashamed of the UN nations who do not send peace keeping forces. I am ashamed that economic gain is more powerful than the voice of the saffron clad monk. I am even ashamed of the neighboring Buddhist countries, which do not rise to the occasion and protect their faith, some even preventing refugees from crossing their borders. But most of all, I am ashamed to be one of the many individuals accepting I have no power to change what I see has to be changed. I am ashamed because the monk in his saffron robe did not accept; he stood tall and fought his own fear, a fear grown over many years of knowledge of a regime and its doings. The monks knew and yet knelt before their oppressor in prayer.

It is not the time now for the protester in Burma; he has already shown his courage. The reprisals are too stern, the risk too high. Even quiet protest is risky unless done so skillfully the military will never know who did it. The monks have shown the way and taken the consequence, now is the time for the rest of the world to show we are not the divided people we think we are. We live in free countries; we have a right to protest. We can protest and make our voices heard to those with power to change. A massive demand from the people of the world will leave no politician with any choice but to obey. Demand the boycott of the Olympics, demand military interventions, demand economic boycott, demand sanctions to China. Give the leaders of the countries we live in no chance but to obey. Make them sure they will surely loose the next election over this issue. Let us not let the deaths of so many and the courage of so many be in vain. Let us make our voice heard.

____________________________

Tree (USA)

What would Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have you do? What would those who lifted no arms against oppression and paid with their lives have you do?

One comment calls all stupid asks why you cannot come up with some clever way. Yet makes no offer of one....... Here would be a good place for that person to do so- when, is that not what your asking the world for on this page, is ideas? Boycott of Olympic sponsors is for the rest of the world to do in honor of you. What may be out of the ordinary for a response, I will risk for so many call one "evil" - here is something different.

How many have sent message of thanks that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed an 'additional' visit by the UN that was not even asked for? How many sent message of thanks for those who were RELEASED. I will not defend evil- nor do I hear cry from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the death of the government in power but says instead she wants to TALK with him. If I yell at your face of what wrong you do- is this talk? How does that help you to change? Yet if even the most evil person hears praise for ONE SMALL ACT of kindness - does this not help them see "that path" to change????

Is not PEACE what you truly desire? That is the hard path to find. Violence is the easy one. Peace is the way of the wise. If non exists we must "create it". For every action there is more than one reaction.

These are only thoughts and I pray I am not condemned if they are not popular - I am only trying to help you find a path that seems to, for so many decades - to have escaped.

Creating peace in such times - is a challenge but finding the means to do so - is a worthy one. Even if it means praise of a tyrant the MOMENT he stops behaving like one. Plant seeds of peace - seek an end to the suffering - but see beyond the focus of suffering to any cause to praise even the slightest move of peace in your enemy. Then see what response you get.

When in the wilds I find a bush full of berries and I eat the biggest and plumpest and leave the shriveled ones the next year I come back to find those are the ones which have gone to seed. - I accept at their worst and return to them their best that that may be what grows. If you seek change provide the environment for it and the room for it - for even the most evil - to turn to good. Praise for one who kills and rapes and oppresses thousands? DID I say this was EASY??????

Is this not what those monks who's voices are silent would say? What would "they" have you do? If you punish your enemy - and they learn the light - they have already been punished and have little cause to punish themselves.

Help them learn truth - and peace and the things you wish for. Then they will have cause to have to work hard, to find cause to have peace with themselves for what they have done. If you found a better path would you take it? How about if he does not know the better path - then would he then not continue on the one he is on? For how many more decades??? Call him evil focus on only that - what will then grow within him? Do not underestimate the power of peace - even though that path is not always the easy one.

Just ideas - may those who hold hate not hate me for wanting to find a path of peace enough to ask these questions and pose these ideas.

I do not say they are the answer- They are just my own questions.

It is the peace of the Burmese people who caught my attention decades ago. I could not visit your land Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, requested tourists wait.

I honor her request above my own desire.

Tree (USA)
________________________
anke (germany)

If violence is used what is to stop China from military aid of troops to junta??? People of the world who read this please think- no matter how crazy your idea may sound post it here. Help create a NEW way to deal with this ancient issue.

The problem is clear, it is the SOLUTION which needs to take place. Safe behind my computer? I know what it is to have my father killed when I was 12 and flee to the wilderness - To come out only to have my dog team - those I loved murdered one after another in ways meant to drive any man of heart insane and the police do nothing.

I won. And did NOT become like my enemy who sought to destroy my peace.

I did not react in ways expected. I created new ways. PEACEFUL ways. Post your ideas here - no matter how crazy they may sound. We may just find a way to help all peoples of the world - to find peace to situations like this and the Burmese become famous for solving this same issue the world over not just for them.

INVENT the NEW path to peace. The junta cant deal with something new, they wont know how. I did not return insane violence in ways that were expected - and won my freedom and did not kill the killer.

I spend my life now in peace - I fought for using my mind - not a rifle. And can live with myself.

No stranger to years of terror. Nor did I become a terrorist to regain my freedom. I forgave the killer - and he destroyed his own life. There is POWER in peace - HUGE power. A power those of violence cannot tap into. This is your advantage. A tool the oppressors cannot hold.

Post your crazy ideas here - they may sound crazy if they are NEW ways to deal with this ancient issue afflicting mankind.

This is a chance and a place to change the world. Those outside Burma do all you can - boycott - email your governments - and post your ideas here that you may help these people find their path to peace.

If old ways never get much done - create a NEW ONE. My internet goes off today but I will spend my time in mediation on this same thing during that time.

No matter how crazy your ideas my sound post them here - its time to put an end to this - for ALL who suffer this same fate- to find a NEW path - to peace. If new - they will not expect it nor know how to deal with it. Outside Burma - turn off your natural gas - refuse to buy gasoline - refuse the world over to fuel global insanity with your money - they listen to that! How hard is it to live without fossil fuels? Thats why I'm going offline - while I did just that! And FIND the ways to do so- Turn off you fossil power, how you suffer to learn alternatives is nothing compared to how the world does, if you do not.

Those who are not in burma use the internet to help them by giving them what you can send them this way - Your ideas - help them FIND - CREATE - a NEW path to peace, by using peace.

____________________________

[emlev]

23. WELL WORTH READING, thank you for posting!

[Tinksrival]

20. Kick

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/news/gallery/2007/sep/27/internationalnews1/[e-mail]

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/news/gallery/2007/sep/27/internationalnews1/[e-mail]

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/news/gallery/2007/sep/27/internationalnews1/GD4811697@BANGKOK,-THAILAND---S-1362.jpg

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/news/gallery/2007/sep/27/internationalnews1/[e-mail]

http://image.guim.co.uk/Guardian/news/gallery/2007/sep/27/internationalnews1/[e-mail]

[graphixtech]

22. Resolution Through Peaceful Methods

Today is an important day in world history and an
opportunity to help further mankind's evolution.

From a taoist perspective, what happens to the people of Burma
seems to represent whether the people of the world can respond
to a corrupt government by peacefully working together and
creating effective outreach and actions for change.

The Burmese people represent the growing number of oppressed
citizens around the globe. That the monks are leading the people's
struggle is the only way to set the stage for a peaceful resolution.
Their sacrifices and actions have set a wise example, which makes
it a moral duty for each of us to spread the word and apply pressure.

We are not helpless. We can each pledge to contribute positively
to this Burma Day of peaceful action to the best of our abilities.
This might mean simply sharing resources, news and analysis
to heighten awareness. It might be contemplating and forwarding
one of the above excellent comments.

One empowering tool from esteemed The Albert Einstein Institute:

198 Methods of Non-Violent Action

http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations103a.html
(printable pdf available at link)

emlov's excellent Burma resource thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1954428&mesg_id=1954428


(2005, Kansas City)