FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAFFRON REVOLUTION 2008: BURMA
Dear Fellow Australians and Friends
The democratic forces, individuals and organisations of the Australian Burmese Community in Perth will be holding a Rally to commemorate the First Anniversary of The Saffron Revolution, and for Burma’s freedom.
WHEN Saturday 27 Th September, 2008
WHERE at PICA Amphitheatre (near Alexander Library)
TIME 1.00 PM to 3.00 PM
We invite your support and presence at the rally where we as Australians will be pledging our commitment to the continuing political struggle against military rule in Burma. Posters, Photos will be displayed and free literature of “the Space of Terror, torture and killing “of the innocent people and monks under Military Rule in Burma will be available.
Agenda
Individuals, groups, organizations will assemble at PICA Amphitheatre (near Alexander Library) Perth.
1.00 PM Opening Ceremony
1.15 PM Speeches by Honourable Member of Parliaments , invited guests, leaders of different Religious Faiths and representatives of Burmese Democratic Forces, Community and Welfare Associations from Burma in Perth. .
2.45PM Prayers and chanting of” Loving Kindness”.
Slogans by 8888 comrades and other activists
3.30 PM. End of Rally and Protest
Please use your freedom and liberty to support the still suffering people of Burma (Daw Aung San Su Kyi of Burma).
Free the people of Burma from Military Dictatorship.
Free Daw Aung San Su Kyi. Free the Buddhist Monk U Gambira, and Student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and All Political Prisoners in Burma.
A Short account of The Saffron Revolution. Burma.
The Buddhist Monks, students , youths and workers, were mercilessly killed, tortured and jailed for peacefully protesting against the oppressive SPDC Burmese military dictatorship last year, August –September 2007. The Burmese people’s defiance and opposition towards the ruling military regime, State, Peace and Development Council (SPDC) had reached a turning point after almost two decades of oppression and total political and economic domination by the fascist military illegitimate state.
Last year, between 24 and 25 September, 2007, thousands of Buddhist monks peacefully marched in downtown Rangoon (Yangon), joined by dissidents and large crowds of supporters and onlookers.
On 25th September, a curfew was imposed. After midnight, between 26 and 27 September, troops raided several monasteries, beat up monks and dragged several hundred off to special detention centres. During the day, the crackdown continued and riot police and soldiers, evidently freed from orders to show restraint, used tear gas, batons, rubber bullets and live ammunition to break up the crowds. According to a rare, though by most accounts understated, admission by the government, nine were killed, including a Japanese photographer, and eleven were wounded. Many more were detained and taken away in military trucks to special interrogation centres. The actual death toll remains uncertain but has increased as people have died from injuries sustained in the streets, in the monasteries and during interrogations.( From International Crisis Group Reports).
For leading the Burmese peoples uprising, the Buddhist Monks leader and organiser, the Reverend U Gambira, All Burma Buddhist Monk Association , 8888 student leaders, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, workers union leader Su Su Nwe and National League of Democracy members and defiant youths were arrested. Still to date hundreds languish in jail and military detention camps for demanding democracy and freedom and “a right to rights” to flourish as humans in their own country, Burma.
Contacts
Rev Oo Tay Zaniya Ph 93422632, Mob 0423894896
U Kyaw Hlaing Ph 93435685
Ms Wah Wah Soe Mob 0430067777
U Phone Kyaw Ph 93435751 Mob 0433026944
Dr Myo Nyunt Ph 93101777 Mob 0411155849
