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Democracy in Burma Day lecture/demo



Media Release
September 13, 1998

Area activists show their support for Human Rights in Democracy in Burma 
Day 

Ithaca, NY, September 13, 1998:  Area activists will show their concern 
for human rights and freedom for Burma in Democracy in Burma Day which 
will be held on September 18, 1998 on the Ithaca Commons Pavilion Area 
from 5-7 pm.  Over 200 students and activists are expected to attend the 
demonstration which will include speakers from local organizations, 
Burmese activists, musicians, and writers.  A lecture, "Resistance in 
the Golden Land:  The Democracy Movement in Burma" and video 
presentation will be held prior to the demonstration on September 14, 
1998 at Cornell University in Anabel Taylor Hall's One World Room at 7 
pm.  Shwe Htee, Central Executive Committee Member for the Democratic 
Burmese Students' Organization, and Aung Saw Oo, Joint Secretary II of 
the National League for Democracy-Liberated Area, will discuss the 
history and share their personal experiences in the struggle for freedom 
in Burma.
Democracy in Burma Day will take place on the tenth anniversary of the 
1988 military coup in Burma.  In 1988, millions of people demonstrated 
to protest the military regime and to fight for democracy and human 
rights.  As a result of these mass uprisings, the military regime, now 
known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), lost power for 
a brief time.   Nevertheless, on September 18, 1988, the military regime 
staged a coup and cracked down on the pro-democracy movement, killing 
over 4,000 people.  Democracy in Burma Day activities will include a 
photograph display and a vigil in which participants light incense in 
order to commemorate the 4,000 people killed by the SPDC on this tragic 
day.
The demonstration will also serve to highlight the National League for 
Democracy 's (NLD) call to convene parliament.  The National League for 
Democracy is led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Laureate for Peace.  
In the 1990 elections, the NLD party won four out of every five 
parliamentary seats in Burma, but after the elections, the military 
regime refused to transfer power.  Recently, the National League for 
Democracy has declared its intention to convene parliament, despite the 
SPDC's refusal.   Democracy in Burma Day participants will express their 
support of the NLD's plans to organize parliament as well as encourage 
the country's transition to democracy.
 The Cornell lecture is being sponsored by the Southeast Asia Program, 
the Committee for US/Latin America Relations, and The Nonviolence 
Empowerment Organization, Inc (NEO).  Sponsors for Democracy in Burma 
Day include the Nonviolence Empowerment Organization, Inc. (NEO), 
Democratic Burmese Students' Organization (DBSO), the Women's Community 
Building, the Center for Religion, Ethics, and Social Policy (CRESP), 
the Asian Pacific American Graduate Association (Cornell), and the 
Global Student Union (TC3).   Students from local universities and 
colleges, including Cornell, Ithaca College, Tompkins-Cortland Community 
College, and SUNY Cortland, and members of the local community will 
attend both events.


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