Rev. Danny Fisher

This from the U.S. Campaign for Burma:

One year ago the monks of Burma led 500,000 people in peaceful nation-wide protests calling for human rights and democracy. The response by Burma’s ruling dictator Than Shwe was brutal; hundreds were killed, thousands were imprisoned, monasteries were raided, and countless demonstrators are still missing.

On the first anniversary of the crackdown on the peaceful protest, September 27th, we are asking our supporters to organize events for Burma across the United States in honor of the bravery and sacrifice of Burma’s monks.

Specifically, we are asking students to organize events on campuses, such as film screenings, educational presentations, or organizing fellow students to wear the color red in solidarity with Burmese monks. Even if you are not a student, we encourage you to still organize an event.

Start organizing today and once you sign up through our website we will send you materials to help (video about the Saffron Revolution, fliers, and petitions).

We hope that this event will be a great beginning to a strong campus chapter or a strong event to mobilize your community chapter. It is a year after the Saffron Revolution, but the fight for a Free Burma is stronger than ever.

Sign Up Here
In addition to your own actions, if you want to participate in other demonstrations for the anniversary, there are already events being planned in the United States. For example, The International Burmese Monks Organization is planning a “Peace Walk for Burma” in New York on September 26th. To learn more go here.

“Burma’s Saffron Revolution is just the beginning. The regime’s use of mass arrests, murder, torture and imprisonment has failed to extinguish our desire for the freedom that was stolen from us so many years ago. We have taken their best punch. Now it is the generals who must fear the consequences of their actions. We adhere to nonviolence, but our spine is made of steel. There is no turning back.”

– U Gambira, one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks Alliance: Still a Political Prisoner


Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Become a member of the United States Campaign for Burma today.

Or, make a donation today.

This from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture:

Dear Friends:

Please contact your Senators tomorrow morning, Tuesday, September 16, 2008!

The Senate is currently debating the FY 2009 Defense Authorization bill, and one of the pending amendments, Amendment Number 5369, would provide the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with access to all detainees. The ICRC functions as an independent observer whose function is to ensure that prisoners are not denied their basic human rights. Allowing the ICRC access would help to end the use of torture and other abusive practices.

Please call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak with each of your Senators’ offices. Tell them that you would like the Senate to vote on Amendment Number 5369 to the FY 2009 Defense Authorization bill, and that you hope that they will support providing the International Committee of the Red Cross with access to all U.S.-held detainees.

Thank you for your good work in the fight to end torture.

Sincerely,

Rev. Richard Killmer
Executive Director, NRCAT

A follow-up action from Amnesty International regarding the case of Troy Davis:

Troy Davis is scheduled to be executed on September 23 for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia, yet serious doubts of his guilt remain and compelling evidence of his innocence has not been heard in court. On Friday, September 12, the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles denied clemency to Davis — we must urge them to reconsider their decision.

To send a letter to the Georgia State Board of Pardons & Paroles, follow this link.

The San Francisco-based Zen Hospice Project has added another weekend to its schedule of upcoming end-of-life care training programs: