How can i raise awareness about the crisis in Burma?

Question

BURMA CRISIS

Background: Since August 19, 2007 there has been a series of peaceful protests across Burma as monks, activists and ordinary citizens challenge misrule and repression. On September 26, the Burmese military government responded with violence. Thousands of protestors have been seized and taken away.

Meanwhile, in eastern Burma, a 45-year catastrophe has reached one of its worst moments, as the country’s military junta escalates its attacks against the area’s ethnic minorities. The government’s efforts to assert control over ethnic border areas have emptied over 3,000 villages in a decade, an average of almost one village each day over the past ten years. The forces of Burma’s military junta, the State Peace & Development Council (SPDC), are mortaring villages, looting and burning homes to the ground, and destroying crops in an effort to obliterate the livelihoods of rural communities. Burmese soldiers are ordered to shoot civilians on sight.

Act Now to demand change for the people of Burma!

Over 500,000 displaced people live in constant insecurity in eastern Burma, and over 30,000 more have been displaced because of this most recent offensive. Those who are captured by the Burmese army face forced labor, conscription, torture, rape and even execution. The rest are unable to return to their homes for fear of stepping on landmines laid after their escape. Instead, the displaced live in makeshift camps in the jungle, enduring some of the worst health conditions in any world crisis today.

As this crisis escalates, it threatens to destabilize not only Burma but the region at large. The increasing refugee exodus places a burden on neighboring states, and regional politicians are concerned that epidemics of HIV/AIDS and other diseases will spill over into their own communities.

Only broader international consensus and diplomatic pressure will bring an end to these human rights abuses, allow entry of adequate amounts of humanitarian aid, and provide a political solution and a transition to democracy for ethnic minorities and the broader population in Burma.

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/eburma_flier.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/eburma_flier.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/eburma_flier.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/eburma_flier.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/eburma_flier.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/ChinaBurmaInfoSheet.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/ChinaBurmaInfoSheet.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/ChinaBurmaInfoSheet.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/ChinaBurmaInfoSheet.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/ChinaBurmaInfoSheet.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/not%20a%20game%204.1.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/not%20a%20game%204.1.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/not%20a%20game%204.1.pdf

http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/not%20a%20game%204.1.pdf

Click on bottom link for video

http://www.witness.org/qtwindow.html?http://demo.oddcast.com/witness/aotr/3574_Always_on_the_Run_ref.mov

http://www.witness.org/index.php?option=com_rightsalert&Itemid=178&task=view&alert_id=42

Answer 1

Who cares about Burma?  I could care less about the poverty and problems in other countries. America should take care of America first. We have hunger and severe economic problems here. We need to take care of ourself first. Good Bye.

Answer 2

get a tatto on your forehead with all the websites you listed. If you are in a crowd of other enlightened folks such as yourself, you can cover the tatoo with a "save the whales" headband.

Oh yeah, and about the only way to stop such indiscriminate violence is with military force. If you were getting mugged in alley, who do you want to see coming, a veteran street cop with a gun or nightstick, or a State Dept diplomat?

Answer 3

You just did raise it a little. now, look at the bottom of this section, find the "email this" button and send it to a few friends.

Answer 4

You just did, Why is this not in the news.. ? Hate to answer a question with a question.. But this needs to be in the news.. Where is Bush?

Answer 5

You can raise awareness of the crisis in Burma through many ways-

1. Continue to learn more about the situation.  Read books about it.  Wikipedia should have an article about it.  Use that as a starting point.  The wikipedia Burma article should have links to other sites with more information on it.  Look at those sites and that should help you be more informed too.  Also, google for activist groups (such as the ones that you put up) that are active (activist groups dedicated towards helping make the situation in Burma better).  They should have information on their sites too.

2. Talk to your family and friends about the situation.  Persuade them to get involved.  If you work, talk to co-workers about it.  If you go to school, create a club dedicated towards making the situation better.   Also, you can talk to your neihgbors as well.  The more people you can get involved the better :)

2a.  If you have a blog, write about Burma and inform others about it through your blog.

3.  Write to your elected officials.  Call their offices and ask them to take action too.  Federal, State, and Local officials can be contacted.  I know you may wonder "what can state and local officials do?"  Well the more that state politicians and local politicians take action (eg. pass resolutions calling for an end to human rights absues), the more awareness is raised and the more likely things will be done on international level.  Awareness brings pressure to act.

4. For the activist groups, you can join them and find what actions they are taking.  Work with them and help them out with their efforts.  Subscribe to their email newsletters, etc.

5. Just do all you can.  Each little step helps and goes a long way.  You can do it.

Answer 6

Support the mass actions in Burma against human rights violations.  Likewise, propaganda must be out against the military suppression in Burma and people must have freedom of expression.