USA: Protests in U.S. against Myanmar military regime

Exiled Burmese demonstrate in front of the United Nations building and protesters rally in Washington, calling for an end to the atrocities perpetrated by the military regime in Myanmar. About 100 people, most of them exiled Burmese, protested outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Friday (September 28). The event organized by the group '88 Generation Student Exiles was also urged China, lead trading partner and close ally of Myanmar, to put pressure on the country to end the killing of protesters there. "China should pressure the Burmese regime. You should not kill the innocent people any more because the Chinese authority have so much influence over Burmese regime," said Zaw Win director of '88 Generation Student Exiles, a pro-Burmese Democracy group. In Washington, a crowd marched towards the Chinese embassy on Friday to protest the actions of Myanmar's military junta. A U.S.-based Nepalese monk condemned the violence against the monks who had led the biggest anti-government demonstrations in 45 years. "It is against humanity and it is against the Buddhism and Burma is a Buddhist country, you know and they've been practicing Buddhism for many years," he said. Chris Montone, Director of Shambhala Meditation Center in Washington was at Friday's rally and said that everyone who believed in peace and non-violence needed to stand up and voice their opposition to the goings on in Myanmar. Soldiers and police took control of the streets Friday in Myanmar, firing warning shots and tear gas to scatter the few pro-democracy protesters who ventured out as the military junta sealed off Buddhist monasteries and cut public Internet access. On the third day of a harsh government crackdown, the streets were empty of the mass gatherings that had peacefully challenged the regime daily for nearly two weeks, leaving only small groups of activists to be chased around by security forces.

ITN Source | September 29, 2007

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