hope and determination

It feels like a punch in the heart when I read about the reports of hundreds of monks being massacred and tortured in Burma. I just don't understand it. I feel helpless and confused. But my spirits were lifted a bit when I learned that people are learning about this and speaking out, over 584,000 people have already signed an online petition (organizers are hoping to reach a million this week) and an International Day of Action is being planned for this Saturday (see below).

Still, the situation in Burma remains desperate, Burma's rulers have also killed and expelled international journalists, cutting off global media coverage of their cruelty.

China continues to provide key economic and military support to Burma's dictatorship, but it has been openly critical of the crackdown. If the Chinese government would match words with actions things could really shift in this situation. Since China is a major key to halting this violence, campaigners are planning a massive ad campaign in major newspapers, beginning Thursday with a full page ad in the Financial Times worldwide, and in the South China Morning Post. The higher the number of people they can cite as having signed the petition, the more power the ad will have. I invite you to share this post with your friends by emailing it to them, and by posting it on your Facebook or writing your own blog post about it to spread the word.

There is also an International Day of Action for a Free Burma being planned for this Saturday OCTOBER 6th 2007 at
12 NOON in every major city across the world
Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery
Contact Deanna Scott voicesofburma@gmail.com to help organize

This is a powerful moment of choice for China in its relationship with the world – will it be a responsible and respected member of the global community, or will it be associated with tyranny and oppression?

People power, on the streets of Burma, and around the world, can triumph over tyranny. Our strength is in our numbers, spread the word!

For the best local reporting on the situation in Burma, try these links:

http://www.irrawaddy.org

http://www.mizzima.com