Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Seminar tomorrow!

Seminar on Burma
featuring Nay Tin Myint - 88 Generation Activist and NLD Leader

Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Vox Pop
1022 Cortelyou Rd.
Brooklyn
(Q train to Cortelyou Rd)

Burma (also known as Myanmar), a country in Southeast Asia bordering
Thailand, China, and India, has been under brutal military rule since
1962.
On May 2, Cyclone Nargis struck Burma. Since then, an estimated
100,000 people have died. The public health problems caused by the
cyclone have been compounded by the military's refusal to accept aid.
Therefore, the current humanitarian crisis cannot be addressed without
attention to the political crisis that has dominated Burma for several
decades.
Come and learn about the current situation in Burma, how it got to be
this way, and what you can do to help.

Main Speaker:

Nay Tin Myint is a well-known activist from the 88 Generation student
group and a leader of Burma's National League for Democracy. He was
arrested in 1989 for making a public speech against the military
regime and was held as a political prisoner for 15 years. He was
released from prison in 2005 and fled the country in 2007. He now
lives in Brooklyn and continues his activism in support of Burmese
democracy and human rights.

Other members of the 88 Generation student activist group will also be
present to answer questions.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Demonstration in front of French consulate, 05/24/08

Please support the International Campaign for Burma, which has organized a protest to urge France to push for humanitarian intervention in Burma:

Place : Consulate General of France, 934 Fifth Avenue (between 74th and 75th Streets), New York, NY 10021

Date : May 24, 2008 Saturday

Time : 2 – 4pm

Take "6" Train and get off 77th street.

"France, along with United Kingdom, has played an active role to help Nargis victims in a very large scale. Humanitarian intervention in Burma with or without the approval of United Nations is proposed to international community. The humanitarian intervention is the most effective way to save the lives of millions of the cyclone survivors.

We, as ordinary citizens of Burma, welcome French government for immediate humanitarian intervention on behalf of millions of starving cyclone survivors." (International Campaign for Burma)


Sunday, May 18, 2008

TONIGHT 5/18/08: Burma Talk @ Blue Stockings Book Store

BURMA - THE CLOCK IS TICKING!

Informational discussion with Cristina Moon & Karen Zusman
7pm, Sunday May 18, 2008
Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington
212.777.6028

UN estimates cyclone Nargis death-toll over 100,000 and growing, yet
aid is being confiscated and diverted by the military junta.

How could this happen and what can we do?
Join Burma activists Cristina Moon, exec director of 8808forBurma.org,
and writer Karen Zusman, for conversation/Q&A. Better understand the
mind of the junta, where to donate and how to pressure China to use
influence with Burma's military to accept aid and bring about dialog
between the military, the democracy movement, and ethnic nationalities.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Demonstrations

May, 17, 2008 UN PROTEST: 2.5 MILLION LIVES IN BURMA IN THE BALANCE. UN ACT NOW!

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WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 12pm

WHERE: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations, 43rd St and 1st Ave

WHO: NY Burma activists -- NY Burma Roundtable, US Campaign for Burma, Burma 88 Coalition, 8-8-08 for Burma

CONTACT: Farheen Malik, newyork@uscampaignforburma.org // Cristina Moon, 347-756-4088, info@8808forburma.org

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Join an urgent Global Day of Action for Burma's cyclone survivors!

Over 100,000 people are dead or missing - as a second cyclone approaches Burma and the military regime continues to block relief workers and steal donated supplies from the 2.5 million people already affected by the first cyclone, the present humanitarian tragedy playing out in Burma could be only the beginning.

The international community must take decisive action to save millions of lives that are currently hanging in the balance, with or without the consent of the Burmese military regime.

As a compassionate New York resident, please wear white on Saturday and join us to hold vigil with 15 Burmese Buddhist monks who will fast and demonstrate in front of the United Nations.

The clock is ticking. Over two million lives are at stake. THE UN MUST ACT NOW!

More information on the Global Day of Action available at www.burma-network.org

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May 15-16, 2008 UN PROTEST VIGIL & FAST BY BURMESE BUDDHIST MONKS

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WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 3pm-7pm // Friday, May 16, 9am-6pm

WHERE: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations, 43rd St and 1st Ave

WHO: Sasana Moli International Burmese Monks Organization, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, NY Burma activists

CONTACT: Margaret Howe, 707-360-8452, margaret@bpf.org // Sasana Moli, 718-426-3959, ibmohq@gmail.com

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Members of Sasana Moli International Burmese Monks Organization and Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and senior Buddhist teachers such as Sharon Salzberg will hold vigil and fast to send a message to the international community that action must be taken NOW to save the over two million lives in Burma affected by Cyclone Nargis.

As a compassionate New York resident, please wear white and join us to hold vigil, fast, and demonstrate in front of the United Nations on Thursday and Friday.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

This Saturday, May 17 - GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR BURMA!

May 17 Global Day of Action for Burma: Calling for a Critical Response to Burma's Humanitarian Disaster

On Saturday, May 17, 2008, a Global Day of Action for a critical response to the Burmese humanitarian disaster will take place in cities around the world. Demonstrations and vigils will be held to urge world governments and the United Nations to take action now and save countless lives at this crucial time for the people affected by Cyclone Nargis. Details of the times and locations of all Global Day of Action events around the world can be found at http://www.burma-network.org as soon as they become available.

Specifically, please join New York Burma activists in this significant Day of Action:

When: Saturday, May 17, 12pm
Where: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations, 43rd St and 1st Ave
Who: NY Burma activists -- NY Burma Roundtable, US Campaign for Burma, Burma 88 Coalition
Contact: Farheen Malik, newyork@uscampaignforburma.org


Despite the devastation and deaths wrought by the cyclone in the immediate aftermath of its landfall, the humanitarian tragedy playing out in Burma may only be beginning. Burma's military regime has blocked the international aid effort to such an extent that 1.5 million people are at risk of dying from starvation, dehydration and communicable diseases. The scale of the desolation is incomprehensibly huge: thousands of homes have been destroyed, Burma's rice-growing heartland has been rendered fallow due to flooding, and tens of thousands are already dead. It is, without a doubt, the worst natural disaster to strike Asia - perhaps the world - since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Burma's rulers have turned a wholly humanitarian concern into a political issue, neglecting the very real needs of their citizens to meet their own political ends. Disaster relief specialists are waiting for access to the country, and thousands of tons of aid are ready to be distributed. It is only due to the government's obstruction that a comprehensive relief effort is not currently underway. Burmese state television shows images of generals handing out packets of aid to cyclone victims and promoting the May 10 referendum, while denying the gravity of the situation in cyclone-affected areas and the thousands of remote villages that are still without food, potable water, shelter or medical help.

The international community must step up and take decisive action to save millions of lives that are currently hanging in the balance, with or without the consent of the Burmese military regime. It has been a positive step that the international community has discussed the option of critical intervention, however this is not enough. Decisive action needs to be taken. Governments around the world need to make the vital decision to save millions of lives, by whatever means possible. As well, it is imperative for the friends of Burma's military regime in the international community to initiate dialogue pressuring the junta to open the country's borders for an international relief effort to get underway. The clock is ticking. Over a million lives are at stake. The international community needs to act – now.

Two videos from last Friday's protest

Last Friday, various New York Burma activists came together at the UN for a demonstration. We demanded that the junta "LET THE AID REACH BURMA CYCLONE VICTIMS NOW!"

Here are two notable videos:

CNN -- http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2008/05/09/roth.un.myanmar.pressure.cn

PBS-13 -- http://www.thirteen.org/newsandpublicaffairs/burma-let-the-aid-reach-the-people

Please watch.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

We have a working website.

http://nyburmaroundtable.googlepages.com/

Please view the calendar.

Updated Announcement

**PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY***

UN DEMONSTRATION and CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: LET THE AID REACH BURMA CYCLONE VICTIMS!

UN Demonstration
When: Friday, May 9, 3-5 pm
Where: Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations, 43rd St and 1st Ave
Who: NY Burma Roundtable, US Campaign for Burma, Burma 88 Coalition, Coalition or Regime Change
Contact: Cristina Moon, info@8808forburma.org

Candlelight Vigil
When: Friday, May 9, 7-9pm
Where: Union Square, 14th Street and Broadway
Who: NY Burma Roundtable, US Campaign for Burma, Burma 88 Coalition, Coalition for Regime Change
Contact: Cristina Moon, info@8808forburma.org

Join us THIS FRIDAY, May 9 from 3pm to 5pm for a demonstration outside the United Nations (Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations- 43rd St and 1st Avenue, NY, NY)!

A powerful cyclone from last Saturday struck Burma, leaving a rising death toll of 100,000 and more than 41,000 missing. Despite the growing urgency for aid towards the disaster, the Myanmar government has let in little aid and has restricted movement in the delta.

Inside the UN, the US Campaign for Burma will be doing a press conference with Anjelica Huston, pushing the need in the aftermath of the cyclone, TO ALLOW AID AGENCIES TO ACCESS BURMA'S WORST HIT AREAS. Some death toll estimates are pushing 100,000. Let's let everyone inside the UN - including the media sources who will be attending - know that the junta must listen: LET THE AID REACH BURMA CYCLONE VICTIMS NOW!

After the demonstration we will hold a candlelight vigil for the cyclone victims at UNION SQUARE @ 7pm, tentatively. We will use this space to raise awareness about the current devastating situation of the people of Burma and necessary funds for Thirst Aid (http://www.thirst-aid.org/), who is working in Burma NOW to provide water and shelter, the most pressing needs of the people of Burma.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

UN Demonstration and Evening Vigil for Burma Cyclone Victims - This Friday!

Join us THIS FRIDAY, May 9 from 3pm to 5pm for a demonstration outside the United Nations (Ralph Bunche Park, United Nations- 43rd St and 1st Avenue, NY, NY)!

A powerful cyclone from last Saturday struck Burma, leaving a rising death toll of 22,500 and more than 41,000 missing. Despite the growing urgency for aid towards the disaster, the Myanmar government has let in little aid and has restricted movement in the delta.

Inside the UN, the US Campaign for Burma will be doing a press conference with Anjelica Huston, pushing the need in the aftermath of the cyclone, TO ALLOW AID AGENCIES TO ACCESS BURMA'S WORST HIT AREAS. Some death toll estimates are pushing 100,000. Let's let everyone inside the UN - including the media sources who will be attending - know that the junta must listen: LET THE AID REACH BURMA CYCLONE VICTIMS NOW!

After the demonstration we will hold a candlelight vigil for the cyclone victims at UNION SQUARE @ 7pm, tentatively. Please tell everyone to come and show their support for Burma!

The Burmese community in New York ask you to join us to show your support for the victims by lighting a candle and giving a donation, because the people of Burma need your help now more than ever.

Everyone is welcome!


Please check back here for updates to the information above.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Public Cyclone Response Meeting @ 7PM, 5/6/08

New Yorkers will be meeting to discuss how we can respond to the recent cyclone disaster in Burma, which has claimed over 10,000 lives already. In Burma today, there is little health education about preventable diseases such as typhoid and cholera, diminishing supplies of safe drinking water, a leveled infrastructure, and staggering inaction by Burma's military junta to provide aid. Please join us in creating plans for events and activities to help Burma's people.

Please arrive before 7pm so we can start promptly!

Address: 18 W 27th Street, 10th floor
Nearby subway: 6 @ 28th street (& Park), R/W @ 28th street (& Bway)
When: 7pm, Tuesday, May 6 2008

Call 347-756-4088 when you're outside, or someone will be at the door to let you in. Take the elevator to the 10th floor and look for signs.

URGENT News Update

If you have not heard already...

Thousands More Deaths Expected in Myanmar

Hla Hla Htay/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

People who lost their homes took shelter in a Buddhist temple in Yangon on Monday. More Photos >


Published: May 6, 2008

The death toll from the devastating cyclone that struck Myanmar over the weekend escalated to nearly 4,000 people, the government said Monday, and the foreign minister told diplomats and United Nations officers that it could rise to 10,000....


More...