Sign a petition for Burma

I’m never sure how much effect online petitions have, but I figure spending thirty seconds of my life trying to help others is a good thing.

I remember having a discussion about 5 years ago about Burma….my friend B. was the focal point giving me all the info….she knew a lot….she is very worldly…a staunch follower of the political issues in Burma always…has considered the political situation one of the most unjust….she carries a bag with a patch that says “Burma” and has always called it Burma, never Myanmar. She’s not Burmese…she’s a New Yorker…just very into this struggle.

The petition is here

From the AVAAZ.org site

“Stand with the Burmese Protesters

After decades of military dictatorship, the people of Burma are rising – and they need our help. Marches begun by monks and nuns snowballed, bringing hundreds of thousands to the streets. Now the crackdown has begun, but the protests are spreading…

When the Burmese last marched in 1988, the military massacred thousands. If the world stands up and supports their struggle, this time they could win. We’re in a race against time—targeting the dictatorship’s main backer China in a global advertising campaign, delivering the petition to the UN secretary-general and sending the Burmese our support via radio—

TAKE ACTION NOW“

I did this today and sent it off as well to friends.

Sometimes I feel so helpless in the face of atrocities that are so far away. Start by signing a petition. Maybe read a little and contact your member of congress or write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Just raising awareness of other people is a HUGE step.

It only takes a moment to do, and while it doesn’t feel like much, pass on the word to family and friends so that we can all make a difference.

Click here, or here, to sign the petition.

Also going to make an extra effort to boycott China, already in my bad books over Tibet. It’s no surprise they don’t lift a finger over Burma since they’re doing no worse than China itself does every single day :-(

Burma might seem so far away, but in my community yesterday a young man was arrested for driving his father to the hospital.

Elsewhere in the United States of America yesterday an elderly couple was arrested for asking for an explanation of what taxes they had alledgedly not paid.

If we each look around our own homes, we are apt to see oppression. Burma is not unique. We are all neighbors.

a moment to do, and while it doesn’t feel like much, pass on the word to family and friends so that we can all make a difference.

Click here, or here, to sign the petition.

I’m not always sure what the value of signing petitions really is but let’s face it – it has to be better than doing absolutely nothing, doesn’t it?

Signing a petition isn’t much, but it’s a start!

I sent the link to my very political minded daughter too.