Letter from Burmese students studying in USA
Dear Students of Burma,
We call on you to take action, to take the lead, and to show solidarity with our fellow countrymen back home. Today, on the full moon day of Taw-thalin, the streets of Yangon bleed red, and it will all be in vain if we do not act and mobilize for change.
We seek unity on Thursday, September 27, 2007, when we will initiate a global fast and candlelight vigil. At 12:00 noon (local time), we would like you to join us by engaging in a 24-hour fast and/or candlelight vigil starting 5:00 pm (local time).
Our primary objective for doing this is for solidarity and moral support with the monks and protesters back home. We who are now separated from our country must stick together in heart and mind with our countrymen back home.
As such, we demand that the UN, ASEAN, national governments, and other members of the international community give attention and pressure the State Peace and Development Council of Burma, as the bearer of responsibility for the events in Burma:
a. To bring an immediate end to the violence against the monks and people of Burma; b. To improve human rights conditions in the country immediately; c. To resolve the economic crisis that has stricken the country; and d. To initiate reconciliation with the population and bring about a concrete process of democratization, andIf you decide to participate, we would request that you observe the following guidelines:
If you decide to fast, you are avoiding all nourishment with the exception of water.
We would like to request that you fast for at least 24 hours. We are trying for as long as possible.
If possible, please occupy a high-visibility, high-traffic area on your respective campuses when you conduct these events. One of the goals is to create awareness of what is happening right now in the country.
If you are unable to maintain a "camp" of protest, please print out the attached poster and carry around (on your back, around your neck, etc) to inform others that you are involved in fasting.
Contact all Burmese students around the world within your networks, and inform them of this movement. Urge them to initiate a fast and/or vigil at their respective institutions at the appointed time.
Encourage as many members of your institution and community to participate.
Contact local media (newspapers, news channels, news sites, etc) and inform them that the fast/vigil is happening (when, where, and why).
We understand that many of you Burmese students will be worried about issues of safety concerning involvement. Where necessary, we would advise you to request all journalists and media outlets to refrain from mentioning you by name, but still report on you and your community's involvement.
It is important that we show solidarity around the world, and join to get and pray for the well-being of the Burmese people.
Please e-mail us at global.alliance.burma@gmail.com to let us know if you will be hosting this event on your campus or in your community so that we may inform international media about it.
The Global Alliance of Burmese Students
We call on you to take action, to take the lead, and to show solidarity with our fellow countrymen back home. Today, on the full moon day of Taw-thalin, the streets of Yangon bleed red, and it will all be in vain if we do not act and mobilize for change.
We seek unity on Thursday, September 27, 2007, when we will initiate a global fast and candlelight vigil. At 12:00 noon (local time), we would like you to join us by engaging in a 24-hour fast and/or candlelight vigil starting 5:00 pm (local time).
Our primary objective for doing this is for solidarity and moral support with the monks and protesters back home. We who are now separated from our country must stick together in heart and mind with our countrymen back home.
As such, we demand that the UN, ASEAN, national governments, and other members of the international community give attention and pressure the State Peace and Development Council of Burma, as the bearer of responsibility for the events in Burma:
a. To bring an immediate end to the violence against the monks and people of Burma; b. To improve human rights conditions in the country immediately; c. To resolve the economic crisis that has stricken the country; and d. To initiate reconciliation with the population and bring about a concrete process of democratization, andIf you decide to participate, we would request that you observe the following guidelines:
If you decide to fast, you are avoiding all nourishment with the exception of water.
We would like to request that you fast for at least 24 hours. We are trying for as long as possible.
If possible, please occupy a high-visibility, high-traffic area on your respective campuses when you conduct these events. One of the goals is to create awareness of what is happening right now in the country.
If you are unable to maintain a "camp" of protest, please print out the attached poster and carry around (on your back, around your neck, etc) to inform others that you are involved in fasting.
Contact all Burmese students around the world within your networks, and inform them of this movement. Urge them to initiate a fast and/or vigil at their respective institutions at the appointed time.
Encourage as many members of your institution and community to participate.
Contact local media (newspapers, news channels, news sites, etc) and inform them that the fast/vigil is happening (when, where, and why).
We understand that many of you Burmese students will be worried about issues of safety concerning involvement. Where necessary, we would advise you to request all journalists and media outlets to refrain from mentioning you by name, but still report on you and your community's involvement.
It is important that we show solidarity around the world, and join to get and pray for the well-being of the Burmese people.
Please e-mail us at global.alliance.burma@gmail.com to let us know if you will be hosting this event on your campus or in your community so that we may inform international media about it.
The Global Alliance of Burmese Students
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