"Dear fellow Karenni. Today marks the 73rd anniversary of Karenni National Resistance Day. a day to commemorate Karenni people's resistance against die invasion of Burmese government that robbed Karenni people of their independence on the 9th day of August 1948. It was today 73 years ago when Karenni people picked up any accessible arms to reclaim their self-determination. Karenni State was independent until after Burma gained independence from the British Empire in early 1945. However, the newly independent Burmese government, under Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL). used force and invaded Mya Leh where die headquarters of Karenni State Council under the leadership of Chairman Gobi Turi was located The annexation of Karenni State by the AFPFL government did not only cost Karenni State its sovereignty but also deprived Karenni people our freedom dignity, and rights to equality and self-determination. To reclaim what have been righteously ours. Karenni people have waged a resistance struggle for 73 years, sacrificing so much along the way. Numerous members of our armed forces, leaders, and Civilians have given their lives in the struggle. We must honor their sacrifices because liberation is paid in blood in a national resistance that faces great challenges. Currently. Burma is fa c ing a political crisis that was doubled down by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has spread nationwide. In Karenni State, the junta that has seized powers is terrorizing the people with acts of arbitrary arrests and killings, and destructions of properties including religious buildings. These crimes are unacceptable to Karenni people. As such. Karenni National Progressive Party and members of Karenni national resistance have fully stood with the people and fought along side them Karenni National Progressive Party alone cannot win this struggle to reclaim Karenni selfdetermination because this struggle belongs to the entire Karenni people and it will take the united strength of all Karenni for us to succeed. Therefore, now is the time for all Karenni. where ever we may be. to unite and fight to uproot this military regime. We must accept the fact that Karenni national cause is a duty of the entire Karenni people. May we succeed in taking on such duty that has been passed on to us in this just struggle..."