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.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 >
| |
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....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
