I am not one to post emotions on a blog, however, I have to share that I have had a very difficult time during the last few days trying to reconcile my typical privileged New York lifestyle with the reality that 100,000 Burmese people have died from Cyclone Nargis and many more stand to if the Burmese government continues to refuse aid from relief organizations hovering on the border just waiting for the go-ahead.
Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that all of the generous donations people have made over the last few days in response will be justly used. I say justly because right now the Burmese government is willing to accept the aid, but not the emergency workers that come along with it. In a place where a government beats monks, jails peaceful activists, not only fails to warn their own citizens of an impending natural disaster but also suppresses communication of this information, a whole lot of money with no accountability could be a very bad thing.
And so today, in addition to any donations you might have made through the Google promotion page or any other organization, I have two new suggestions of ways to get involved.
1. Attend a demonstrations.
Demonstrations have been organized in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston and Dallas beginning today and running through the weekend. (See below for details.)
2. Write a letter to the UN Security Council demanding that the government of Burma allow international aid and aid workers to enter the country and help the victims of cyclone Nargis.
If you aren't up to writing a letter from scratch, you can simply sign a template and hit send at: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/t/5102/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24494
That's all for now. Off to the United Nations!
Cezu tinbadeh,
Susan
New York City, Friday, May 9th (today!)
UN Demonstration, 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations. 434d and 1st Ave
Candle Light Vigil, 7:00 PM
Location: Union Square
http://nyburmaroundtable.googlepages.com
San Francisco, Friday, May 9th (today!)
Protest/Rally, Speakers & Vigil
Rally 4:00-6:00 PM
Speakers 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Prayers & Vigil 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: San Francisco Federal Building/Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Office, 450 Golden Gate Avenue (@Larkin)
www.badasf.org
Washington DC, Sunday, May 11th
Prayer Vigil, 10:00 AM
Location: Burmese Buddhist Temple
Protest, 6:00 PM
Location: In front of SPDC attache (2300 California Ave)
Boston, Saturday, May 10th
Fundraiser, 12:00-4:00 PM
Location: Yoma Restaurant, 5 N Beacon St, Allston
http://harvardbam.blogspot.com
Dallas, Saturday May 10th
Prayer Service and Fundraiser, time tbd
Location: Thanksgiving Square, 1627 Pacific Ave (between Akard and Bryan), Dallas
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