WHAT CAN YOU DO? 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE PROTESTERS

1. PROTEST — Look below in “Recent news” for details of worldwide protests.
2. SPREAD THE WORD — Invite your friends to this group, email all your family and friends, write to local newspapers.
3. CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL — They will respond if enough people contact them.
4. EMAIL COMPANIES STILL IN BURMA — Their email addresses are listed here.
5. SIGN A PETITION — This one is the biggest so far there are also lots listed here.
6. KEEP UP TO DATE — READ SOME BLOGS/WEBSITES — To get free updates on actions for Burma send a blank email to burmacampaign — subscribe@lists.burmacampaign.org.uk — you can also get a free monthly newsletter, visit: BurmaCampaign.org. We’ve compiled some great resources.
7. EMAIL YOUR NATION’S EMBASSY IN BURMA — ask them to open up their WiFi networks for our contacts to utilize. We’ve had reports that the internet is down to keep reports and pictures IN Burma, we need to do everything we can to make sure they get OUT. Your embassy’s contact info will be on your country’s ministry/department of foreign affairs webpage.
8. CONTACT EXTERNAL MEDIA — If you have any updates pass them to the press via details listed here.
9. BOYCOTT CHINA/2008 OLYMPICS — Think about boycotting Chinese goods. Follow the links below.
10. BROWSE THIS SITE — At the bottom of the site is the constantly updating wall with up to the minute news on protests and what is happening in Burma. Support the Monks’s protest in Burma Facebook page.

This was originally posted here.

I can’t stop, I just can’t.

To say that the current crisis in Burma has become a media darling would not be stretching it. To say that it has become that one hot button – the Darfur, the global warming, the tsunami – would be damn accurate. But when you have experienced the crisis first hand, only to return to the west to hear people say “Uh huh… And where is Burma, again?” seven times a day… Let’s just say you’ll take every headline you can get.

I understand that people are growing tired of it. In our ADD culture we barely even focus on an issue long enough to look at a map, let alone write an email to our representative. The combination of apathy, helplessness and insensitivity is felt by all of us. Would I be such a bitchy activist if I hadn’t been there? Would I even be able to point to it on a globe? Hell no.

But who I am now, what I believe now, is this: every push in the right direction is beneficial. Every baby step we take toward eradicating the countless problems that are simmering and bubbling all around the world is just that: a step. Each step counts. Will we wake up tomorrow to find peace in the Middle East? A democratic government in Burma? Monsoon rains in central Africa? Hell no.

But tomorrow I will wake up and spend another day speaking with people who are interested but uninformed. I will let them know about the rally this Saturday. I will try to describe my experience in the country, to humanize the issue and make it relevant. I will push. I will push my whole life. Right now, this is where I feel I can push the hardest and with the most impact. Perhaps, in a few weeks or so, I will spread awareness somewhere else. What is important is that I do not spend every day concerned only with bettering my life and my situation. I am concerned – every single fucking day – with bettering lives and situations.

Activism is not about solving problems tomorrow. It is not about saving the world. It is about giving every little you have to spare – whether it is money, or food, or signatures, or emails, or letters, or phone calls, or ideas, or two feet and two hands and a mouth all making noise for a cause. I don’t care if it’s a token effort. I don’t care if it’s a nudge. It’s something.

Here – in our rich, spoiled, obese western world – is the power. If everyone were to baby tap the world in the right direction, it would start to spin that way. Tappity tap tap. Get on it.

Support Peace and Democracy in Burma: Toronto Rally: Saturday, Oct. 6th, 6:00pm. We gather at the Chinese Consulate to add to the international pressure on the Chinese government to stop supporting the Burmese regime. We let them know that they must address this and other human rights issues or they should expect a global protest at their beloved Olympic Games.

After rallying there, we march down to Queen’s Park in an attempt to spread awareness and make our voices heard. Please, please join us. Otherwise, find some baby step you can take, and please take it. You’ll feel better about yourself, I promise.

************************CONFIRMED:  WE’LL BE WALKING ACROSS BLOOR AND DOWN UNIVERSITY!!!  TALK ABOUT VISIBILITY!!!!********************

GLOBAL MARCH

for the people of Burma

Led by Monks

Saturday October 6, 2007.  6pm.

Beginning in front of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China

240 St. George st.  2 blocks north of Bloor. 

March to Queen’s Park for rally and candlelight vigil

Why? 

Because thousands are being tortured and killed in peaceful demonstrations

and the people still don’t have their democracy.

It’s on the news: www.irrawaddy.org

“Use your liberty to help promote ours!”

-Aung San Suu Kyi, Noble Peace Laureate and leader of democracy in Burma

Expected Numbers: 1000.

Join the world.

This Saturday.

Wear Red.

Bring a Candle.

And 10 friends.

Want more info?

Despite brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, the continual demonstrations have been widespread throughout other cities, and surprisingly the Canadian government seems to be indifferent. According to the latest sources from inland Burma, around 550 innocent civilians including monks were
killed, and 6,000 imprisoned so far.

The Chinese regime has played a key role to support the Burmese despotic junta. In fact, China abused the veto power by rejecting resolutions when Burma’s issue was decided in the UN Security Council on January 12, 2007. Resolving Burma’s political problems should be an urgent cause for China if they wish to embrace a peaceful Olympics games in 2008.

Nothing less than a UN peacekeeping mission in Burma is needed now. These unfolding lawless atrocities are telling of our world today; of our level of complacency in face of the suffering of others and of our capacity for response.   Canadians are currently looking to their leaders to see if they will actively support and uphold their values beyond national borders.

We would like to see Canada live up to its reputation as a human rights champion. We support a Canada who will actively respond to the needs of suffering people in Burma by listening to their demands.  They need a national reconciliation and democratization process. For Canada, this means withdrawing the investment of our Canadian companies like Ivanhoe Mining and actively urging the Chinese regime to increase pressure on the Burmese military junta.

The public has always played an integral role in garnering awareness necessary for international support and positive change.  We appreciate your presence.

join facebook group: Toronto for Burma

Next events:
Sunday sept 30: Photo Exhibition and Story-telling. Noon. Nathan Phillips Square.

Wednesday Oct 3: Demonstration in front of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China. 6pm (240 St. George St. (2 blocks north of Bloor St).

Saturday Oct 6: World-wide walk for the people of Burma and candlelight vigil. 6pm, beginning in front of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China.  Wear Red!

email: torontoburmaroundtable@gmail.com if you have any questions!