CALIFORNIA VOICES SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE OF BURMA

- reported by Edith Mirante

Twenty eight prominent California Bay Area citizens, including authors, poets, musicians and scientists, have signed a letter on behalf of the  people of Burma (Myanmar.) Among those who signed are Medea Benjamin, founder of Global Exchange and Code Pink, musician Buddy Cage of the  legendary band New Riders of the Purple Sage, photographer Jerry Burchard, and authors Alan Clements, Deborah Grabien and Jeff  Greenwald.

The letter states that "As fellow humans, we must add our voices to the outcry over the ongoing repression in Burma. Although our California  Bay Area is far away from Burma we join in the demands of Burma's masses for freedom." It calls for the release of political prisoners,  including the poet Bamaw Nyo New. The text of the letter, with list of signatories is below.

The letter has been presented to the United Nations by the Burmese American Democratic Alliance, a Bay Area organization: www.badasf.org  during their Day of Action for Burma in San Francisco on October 24, 2007. Hundreds have marched for Burma in previous actions in San  Francisco. California's Bay Area has a major Asian-American population and a strong tradition of social activism and international awareness. The Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) is a San Francisco Bay Area based non-profit organization that has been advocating democracy  and freedom for the people of Burma. 

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CALIFORNIA BAY AREA LETTER FOR BURMA

We are deeply concerned by the violent suppression of peaceful protest in Burma at the hands of the military dictatorship. We, like so many around the world, have watched in awe as Buddhist monks in red robes and nuns in pink walked in the tropical rains,  accompanied by thousands of other Burmese, to bravely request a more peaceful life for their country. They walked calmly for miles every  day, chanting a sutra of compassion for all beings.

We have watched in abject horror as the military regime reacted to the peaceful protests by beating and killing monks, children and other  innocent people. The images of Burma's blood-soaked streets are now seared on our consciousness. As fellow humans, we must add our voices to the outcry over the ongoing repression in Burma. Although our California Bay Area is far away from  Burma we join in the demands of Burma's masses for freedom.

A poets' organization is among the groups in Burma now targeted for particularly severe repression. Among those arrested recently is  revered poet Bamaw Nyo New. We join in the demand for their release, and the release of  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, author and Nobel Peace Prize  laureate.

Our sympathy, our fondest hopes, are with the people of Burma. We believe that they will prevail.

signed:

• Howard Lazzarini Musician/Respiratory Therapist

• Ann Hathaway, MD Alternative Medicine

• Buddy Cage Musician, New Riders of the Purple Sage

• Mark Topazio Tour Manager, New Riders of the Purple Sage

• Andrea Miller, Resource Counselor

• Steve Langdon Musician

• Deborah Grabien Novelist/Essaysist

• Heidi Ifft Screenwriter

• Jeannette Sears Songwriter/author

• Gary Peterson Fisheries Biologist

• Sumner Walters Photographer

• Sheree Walters R.N.- Program Director Mt. Hood Community College

• Michelle McFee Screenwriter/poet

• Susie Schlesinger Artist

• John Starman, MA Artist

• Paige Williams-Emery Dancer/Mother

• Karen Hofling Artist

• Lisa Rappoport Poet, Printer

• Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke Buddhist Peace Fellowship

• Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Executive Director, Buddhist Peace Fellowship

• Jerry Burchard Photographer

• Jeff Greenwald Author

• Alan Clements Author, Director of The World Dharma Online Institute

• Brenda Hillman Poet and Teacher

• Marianne Manilov Organizer, Writer

• Chun Yu, Ph.D. Poet/Scientist

• Kim McMillon Playwright

• Medea Benjamin Founder, Global Exchange and Code Pink