October 8, 2007
Mingalaba Friends and Family,
Sorry for another mass email (note, this is NOT a forward), but I've been spending a lot of time thinking about how someone as insignificant as myself might be able to make a slight difference in what's going on in Burma. I was overwhelmed by the number of "I wore my red t-shirt" responses I got from all of you after my last email so I thought you might be interested in making a difference again.
I've collected a few simple yet significant ideas of things we can do to help promote awareness and support the cause. For a little fun, I've divided them into specific hobbies/interest areas. I would really appreciate your support by participating in any or all of the below, and if you feel comfortable, encouraging your friends to do so as well.
If, on the other hand, my emails are starting to annoy you, please let me know and I'll take you off the list. :)
-- AWARENESS --
For online news readers and community goers ...
- Set Up a Google Alert -- Did you know you can set up an alert with Google News to receive updated news as it's posted to the web (or however frequently you like). Set up a news alert for Burma by entering "Burma" or "Myanmar" as your key word at the following site: http://www.google.com/alerts
- Join a Group on Facebook -- I recommend Burma:The Truth and/or Support the Monks of Burma
- Bookmark Some Blogs (or start your own) -- Some blogs straight out of Burma despite the internet crack down include:
[1] http://burmesedayze.blogspot.com/
[2] http://www.xanga.com/dawn_1o9
[3] http://ko-htike.blogspot.com - Tim (my brother) and I have also started our own blog at: http://susanandtimonburma
.blogspot.com
- YouTube Videos from Burma -- Check out some of the videos that brave videographers in Burma have managed to upload to YouTube despite the internet crackdown. Following are a few links:
[1] Monks Praying Soldiers Shooting in Burma -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0heX0k8pnB0
[2] Riot at Shwe Dagon Pagoda East gate in Burma -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQ8zMpthis
[3] Buddhist Monks Leading Protest in Rangoon Burma - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2_EKx2KZ9A
[4] Brutality in Burma - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LymH0aPenBM
- Links: [1] Burma protests -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in
_depth/asia_pacific/2007/burma /default.stm
[2] Burma's hardline generals -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3755684.stm
[3] Burma's 1988 protests -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7012158.stm
[4] Bush on Burma -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7015465.stm - Books: [1] The River of Lost Footsteps, Thant Myint-U - http://www.amazon.com/River
-Lost-Footsteps-Histories -Burma/dp/0374163421
[2] Letters from Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi - http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Burma-Aung-San-Suu/dp/01402640 35
-- ACTION --
For lobbyists ...
- Lobby Chevron, a gas company which pays millions of dollars in oil and gas royalties to the current military junta, TOMORROW, October 9, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM PDT via phone, (925) 842-1000, or fax (415) 894-6817. Ask for David O'Reilly, Chevron CEO. Learn more about this effort at: http://protestchevron.blogspot
.com/
- Sign Online Petitions
[1] Sign a petition calling on Chinese President Hu Jintao to compel Burma towards valid national reconciliation: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/uscampai gnforburma/petition.jsp ?petition_KEY=730&t=HomePage .dwt
[2] Sign a petition calling on the UN Security Council and Chinese President Hu Jintao to oppose a violent crackdown on the demonstrators and support genuine reconciliation and democracy: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
- Tag Your Neighborhood with Orange Monks -- Join the worldwide "Saffron Revolution" by printing out a stencil from the following website, picking up a can of orange spray paint and committing a deviant art act in the name of a good cause. To download a stencil and see some photos of saffron revolution artists around the world, check out: http://saffronrevolutionworldwi
de.blogspot.com/
- Create a Video for the Next CNN/YouTube Presidential Debate -- You can submit your video/learn more about this idea by going to http://www.youtube.com/debates
- Say a prayer for the people of Burma and add them to the list of any prayer groups you participate in
- Donate Money - You can donate money to the US Campaign for Burma at: http://www.uscampaignforburma
.org/join/joinnow.html (Note, I am not personally familiar with this organization, but they are referenced across the web and appear legit. I am looking into other organizations as well. If you're a Googler, fyi, I'm looking into setting up this organization for charitable gift matching. Stand by for more info.)
Dada,
Susan
1 comment:
You guys rule... super impressed!!! Keep up the awesome work!!!
Post a Comment