How You Can Support the People of Burma
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1) The Olympics and Burma -- How you can take action!
Why China and the Olympics?
The August 2008 Beijing Olympics are a key opportunity to draw attention to China's role in the suffering of the Burmese people. China is a major trading partner with Burma, not only in oil and natural gas but in arms. Further, China is, in effect, blocking any resolution in the Security Council of the UN for an international arms embargo.
What we are calling for:
We call on China to support a comprehensive U.N. Security Council arms embargo on Burma.
Olympic-related actions:
• Join the US Campaign for Burma's "This is Not a Game"
A new campaign rallying one million citizens around the world to turn off their televisions and boycott the Beijing Olympics unless China ends Its support for Burma’s military regime.
• Sign a petition to withdraw San Francisco's welcome for the Olympic Torch.
This petition urges Mayor Gavin Newsom to withdraw San Francisco's official welcome of the Olympic Torch Relay and put pressure on the Chinese government to support a peaceful transition to democracy in Burma. San Francisco has a long history of standing up for individual rights and of speaking out against tyranny. As recently as last October, the city's Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in support of the people of Burma in their struggle for democracy.
• Send a letter to the President of the International Olympics Commitee.
Click here to download a sample letter to Mr. Jacques Rogge of Switzerland, President of the International Olympics Committee. Send this letter, or one of your own, expressing your concern for China's actions and urging the Committee to request that China end their opposition to an international arms embargo.
2) Keep Burma alive in your community and sangha.
Here are some ideas:
- Organize a letter writing campaign (see #3 and #4 below). Make letters available at your chapter, sangha, or sitting group.
- Host an event at your chapter, for the public or a house party to educate yourselves and your community on Burma. Host a speaker, show a video, read articles together -- see our Burma Resource page for a list of books, films, and speakers,.
- Organize a chanting ceremony or special sitting at your sangha or sitting group in support of monks and nuns in Burma. Make public that you are doing this -- and let us know. Write to margaret@bpf.org.
- Hold a public vigil, including a chanting and meditation vigil. If you plan a vigil, please use these common elements to unify our voice:
3) Write to the Secretary General of the United Nations asking him to endorse an arms embargo against Burma.
Ban Ki-Moon -- Download letter template (Word document)
Secretary General
Executive Office Room S-3830
1 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
More actions you can take...
1) Urge Chevron to Help Stop the Violence
Our friends at Earthrights International, defending human rights and the environment in troubled places around the globe, have issued a call and online petition urging Chevron to use its influence to help stop the violence in Burma. Chevron Corporation is one of the largest foreign investors in Burma and the only remaining major U.S. corporation with a significant presence there. You can sign the petition at www.petitiononline.com/urgeChev/petition.html. Please send the link to your friends and communities.
2) Write to the Ambassador of China
The Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi has shared with us a letter that he sent to Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong. The letter calls for China to become a leader on the international stage, and to support the establishment of a democratic government in Burma. You can download the letter here and insert your own name and address. Please send both the English and Chinese version to the Ambassador (address included with letter).
* Letter to Ambassador -- Word document in English
* Letter to Ambassador -- Word document in Chinese
3) Provide Direct Aid to the People of Burma
BPF members have asked how they might provide material support to monks, nuns, and the families of others caught in Burma’s turmoil. Some of these people are still in Burma proper, some have fled to the Thai border. In either case, your donations can be sent through the Foundation for the People of Burma, which is quietly supporting those at risk inside and at the margins of the country. The Foundation, a BPF affiliate, is committed to deliver every dollar of donations to those in need.
4) Sign a petition
U.S. Campaign for Burma Petition
5) Help get video equipment into Burma.
From BPF board member Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey:
Making sure that the world can witness what is going on within Burma is one of the only means we have of keeping the activities of the government under check and bring power back into the hands of the Burmese people. There is a dire need to get video equipment and transmission equipment back into the country and into the hands of democracy activists so that the world can once again bring its attention to the needs of the people of Burma.
Many people have already pledged their resources toward this endeavor. Please join them quickly so that we can open the widow back to Burma and hold the regime accountable for its actions. The easiest and quickest way to support is to make an online contribution on our website http://www.stonecircles.org
Click on the “donate now” button and then be sure to check “yes” where it asks if this donation is designated for Burmese video equipment. Checks can be made payable to “stone circles” with “Burmese video project” in the memo line. Send them to:
The Stone House
stone circles/attn: Burma
6602 Nick’s Rd.
Mebane, NC 27302
6) Learn more from other Burma advocacy and human rights organizations.
U.S. Campaign for Burma
The Burma Campaign UK
Human Rights Watch article: "Burma: Foreign Investment Finances Regime"
Sasana Moli -- International Burmese Monks Organization
Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
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