HOME | IMC UK | Editorial Guidelines | Mission Statement | About Us | Contact | Help | Support Us

Oxford Indymedia

Oxford / Burma solidarity march

Jangles | 20.11.2007 13:45 | Anti-militarism | Repression | Social Struggles | Oxford

As part of an ongoing expression of solidarity with the people of Burma, Saturday 17 December witnessed a march of 200 people through Oxford

To rousing chants of "Burma, Burma, Free, Free!" and the inspiring sound of Burmese singing, the marchers, many from the Burmese communities of Oxford and London, marched peacefully through the busy city centre streets, declaring their support for and solidarity with the suffering people of what, for many, was their homeland. Support from passers by was evident, even those whos afternoons were temporarily disrupted, as many of the marchers engaged in conversation, explaining their demands that governments at all levels - national and international - act now to bring about peaceful regime change in Burma. Marchers - many dressed in red in solidarity with the monks of Burma - called for an end to the imprisonment and killing of innocent people and leaders, and for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, now in her 12th year of imprisonment.

As the sound of the singing gave way to equally moving speeches, Burmese speakers and local politicians reminded us that no dictatorship is ever permanent, no matter how invincible it may seem, and that the people always - and always will - win in the end. There were calls to ensure that actions such as international arms embrgoes and other actions and sanctions against the Junta are upheld and achieve their targets. People of all faiths and beliefs were united in a buddhist ceremony, together hoping and praying for the peace and wellbeing of all, and in a minutes silence to remember those who have died.

I spoke with one Burmese man, who had lead the chanting throughout, congratulating him on maintaining his voice and his enthusiasm throughout well over an hour of shouting. He replied poignangtly, "That is nothing... I have been shouting this same message several times every day for over three months". I told him his voice was a blessing on the people of his country, but could not help wondering, how long does he have to shout before people hear and take notice?

Around 100 people on the march signed the Big Red Petition, made of a 10metre long piece of red fabric, symbolising the monks robes, calling for Gordon Brown to act to bring about peaceful change in Burma (see www.burmacampaign.org.uk & www.petitions.pm.gov.uk/Burmacrackdown). As well as their names, many added their own personal demands, calling for a withdrawal of all business links with Burma and companies who support the dictatorship, and messages of support. Words such as "our hearts are broken for you, we cry out to God for the healing of your nation", "The World is watching", The often repeated "solidarity with the people of Burma!" and simply "You are not alone", speak of the depth of feeling, unity and support that people around the world have for these people and this issue. I recently read a quote from a woman in Rangoon that said "the international community did nothing during a three day killing spree. It was then that I realised we were alone". I only hope that, in a country where informaon and communication is as supressed as the people, messages such as those people shared will reach people like this lady, and assure her and compatriots that they are not alone, thousands and millions around the world are watching their struggle with anger and passion and calling on those in power to act.

(Please share your support for the people of Burma by participating in the "Total out of Burma" day of action, this saturday, 24th, or by visiting www.burmacampaign.org.uk)

Jangles

Comments

Display the following 2 comments

  1. correction — applemuncher
  2. point — pickle
Publish your news
-->

Kollektives

Birmingham
Cambridge
Liverpool
London
Oxford
Sheffield
South Coast
Wales
World

Other UK IMCs
Bristol/South West
London
Northern Indymedia
Scotland

Oxford Topics

Afghanistan
Analysis
Animal Liberation
Anti-Nuclear
Anti-militarism
Anti-racism
Bio-technology
Climate Chaos
Culture
Ecology
Education
Energy Crisis
Fracking
Free Spaces
Gender
Globalisation
Health
History
Indymedia
Iraq
Migration
Ocean Defence
Other Press
Palestine
Policing
Public sector cuts
Repression
Social Struggles
Technology
Terror War
Workers' Movements
Zapatista

IMCs


www.indymedia.org

Projects
print
radio
satellite tv
video

Africa

Europe
antwerpen
armenia
athens
austria
barcelona
belarus
belgium
belgrade
brussels
bulgaria
calabria
croatia
cyprus
emilia-romagna
estrecho / madiaq
galiza
germany
grenoble
hungary
ireland
istanbul
italy
la plana
liege
liguria
lille
linksunten
lombardia
madrid
malta
marseille
nantes
napoli
netherlands
northern england
nottingham imc
paris/île-de-france
patras
piemonte
poland
portugal
roma
romania
russia
sardegna
scotland
sverige
switzerland
torun
toscana
ukraine
united kingdom
valencia

Latin America
argentina
bolivia
chiapas
chile
chile sur
cmi brasil
cmi sucre
colombia
ecuador
mexico
peru
puerto rico
qollasuyu
rosario
santiago
tijuana
uruguay
valparaiso
venezuela

Oceania
aotearoa
brisbane
burma
darwin
jakarta
manila
melbourne
perth
qc
sydney

South Asia
india


United States
arizona
arkansas
asheville
atlanta
Austin
binghamton
boston
buffalo
chicago
cleveland
colorado
columbus
dc
hawaii
houston
hudson mohawk
kansas city
la
madison
maine
miami
michigan
milwaukee
minneapolis/st. paul
new hampshire
new jersey
new mexico
new orleans
north carolina
north texas
nyc
oklahoma
philadelphia
pittsburgh
portland
richmond
rochester
rogue valley
saint louis
san diego
san francisco
san francisco bay area
santa barbara
santa cruz, ca
sarasota
seattle
tampa bay
united states
urbana-champaign
vermont
western mass
worcester

West Asia
Armenia
Beirut
Israel
Palestine

Topics
biotech

Process
fbi/legal updates
mailing lists
process & imc docs
tech