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SUCCESS! GLOBAL DAYS OF
ACTION
June 17th and 19th, 2005 |
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE WORLD'S
ONLY IMPRISONED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE RECIPIENT
IN THE YEAR OF HER 60TH BIRTHDAY |
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On
June 19th, 2005, Aung
San Suu Kyi, the leader of Burma's democracy
movement, turned 60 years old. Unlike many birthdays
around the world, however, she celebrated her
birthday under house arrest. She has been locked
up by Burma's brutal military regime since May
of 2003
Aung San Suu
Kyi isn't the only person who is locked
up in Burma. The regime holds over 1,400 political
prisoners behind bars where they are severely
tortured. Even for those outside of prison,
the regime's pervasive military intelligence
network makes the country a modern-day prison
without bars.
Despite facing incredible terror, the people
of Burma have never given up their hope for
change. From Rangoon to rural areas where Burma's
ethnic nationalities have traditionally resided,
Burmese people want democracy.
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WHAT HAPPENED JUNE 17-19, 2005 |
People all over the world took action to help support
Aung San Suu
Kyi on her birthday:
77 "ARREST YOURSELF" PARTIES AROUND THE WORLD
On June 19th, we organized 77 individuals and groups in the United States and ten countries to "arrest themselves" for 24 hours in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi.
At each of these events, those that arrested themselves invited friends, family, and colleagues over to learn more about Burma and also to show
them several new films that have been released on Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 10 of the events were covered by the news media, making Burma one
of the hottest stories in the world.
Learn more...
BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Over 6,000 birthday cards for Aung San Suu Kyi
were received from around the world. The USCB
used some of the cards in a demonstration in
front of the Burmese embassy in Washington DC
- Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) joined us on
that June 17th in calling for a Free Burma and
for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and tried
to deliver a box of the cards to the embassy,
though it had been closed and locked by the
Burmese military regime.
Learn more...
EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, DC
Congressman Lantos also participated in an event
on Capitol Hill on June 16th, in which some
of the United States' most prominent politicians
were involved, such as House Democratic Leader
Nancy Pelosi. Said Pelosi, "I believe that
just like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi
her impact will be felt not only by this generation
of Burmese, but by the people of the world for
many years to come. The Congress of the United
States strongly supports the struggle for freedom
and human rights in Burma."
Learn more...
MUSICIANS UNITE FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI & BURMA
R.E.M. performed a concert in Dublin, Ireland on Aung San Suu Kyiís birthday, dedicating part of their performance to her and to the people of Burma. The concert was broadcast inside Burma via the Democratic Voice of Burma's new satellite television service. Leading Irish musician Damien Rice released "Unplayed Piano", a song he wrote about Aung San Suu Kyi after traveling to the Thai-Burma border with USCB. Inspired by Aung San Suu Kyiís courage and bravery, he wrote this song and then played two sold-out benefit concerts in London and Paris.
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