Oct 04 2007
Oct 03 2007
After a few e-mails, it's settled. Tomorrow I'm going to send a $125 postal order to the Australian Coalition for Democracy in Burma to cover the cost of a fax machine. I'm announcing this only with the hope that it inspires others to chip in. Contact jparker(at)lmc.nsw.gov.au for info. Another organization accepting donations it is Give To Burma, run by a young Burmese exile whose father is a political prisoner. 100% goes to people in Burma who are seeking non-violent solutions.
When you're very young, very old, or very sick, you need the help of others. So when you're healthy and able-bodied, you have an obligation to those in need. And you don't do it to show others what a wonderful person you are, you do it because you can. It really doesn't take much effort. I see paying for a fax machine to send to Burma in exactly the same way.
I really don't know why I'm so hung up on Burma. I just am. Something inside me tells me it's the right thing to do.
Oct 03 2007
The latest news is:
The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which has for years kept a close watch on political detainees in Myanmar’s 43 prisons, estimates that up to 1,500 people were locked up last week.
At least 85 protest leaders, over 1,000 monks, and between 300 and 400 students and activists were arrested,’ said AAPP joint secretary Bo Kyi, adding that the detainees were subject to harsh prison conditions.
The Buddhist monks, who were at the forefront of what has been dubbed the ‘saffron revolution,’ were forcibly disrobed and ‘severely beaten, kicked and insulted’ by soldiers and militias, the group said in a statement.
Hong Kong-based organisation the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said ‘at least 700 monks and 500 civilians are estimated to have been captured and taken to unknown locations in the last week.’
These detainees, as well as 150 people arrested after the protests began in August, ‘must all be treated as disappeared, not arrested, until their whereabouts and conditions are confirmed,’ the group said.
(Note: As soon as I can, I'm going to send to the organization below (after the jump) enough money for a fax machine. I have also asked them to set up a PayPal account to make it easier for people to donate. They have a link at the bottom of their page for donating via PayMate, but I don't have a Visa or MasterCard, only American Express.)
Dear Friends,
Direct assistance is needed for activists in Burma.
The situation in Burma is critical and they need your help.
We have been in contact with students, monks and activists inside Burma who have been working day and night on the protests. There is an incredible amount of work going on behind the scenes. In particular, the need to organise strike activity and co-ordination with monks has been emphasised.
To help this to happen we have been asked specifically for four things:
Continue Reading »
Oct 02 2007
But the top story on CNN.com right now is that Britney lost custody of her two children. I kid you not.
Tags: Burma, Myanmar, News
Thousands of protesters are dead and the bodies of hundreds of executed monks have been dumped in the jungle, a former intelligence officer for Burma's ruling junta has revealed.
The most senior official to defect so far, Hla Win, said: "Many more people have been killed in recent days than you've heard about. The bodies can be counted in several thousand."
(link)
Oct 02 2007
International bloggers are preparing an action to support the peaceful revolution in Burma. We want to set a sign for freedom and show our sympathy for these people who are fighting their cruel regime without weapons. These Bloggers are planning to refrain from posting to their blogs on October 4 and just put up one Banner then, underlined with the words "Free Burma!“.
Tags: Burma, Myanmar
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