[mgj-discuss] "Country of Courage": Free Burma Coalition Conference, Feb. 14-16 in Washington, D.C.

[Dan Beeton]

Dear friend of Burma's freedom,

What are you doing this Valentine's Day?  After sharing flowers and 
chocolates with your loved ones, please join us in Washington, DC to 
continue the struggle for freedom and demcracy in Burma!

For many years the 50 million Burmese people have persistently waged a 
campaign to bring about an end to the country's brutal dictatorship, 
bravely facing torture, rape, and killings.  Students, monks, ministers, 
mothers, fathers, children, and Burmese from all walks of life have paid 
a heavy price for their belief in freedom.  

Just last month, two Burmese college students were arrested, and we fear 
tortured, for waving a banner in front of City Hall in the capitol city 
of Rangoon and calling for democracy and freedom.

These two students certainly knew they would be arrested by the 
authorities.  They knew they would be tortured.  They knew they would 
sentenced to long terms in prison.  But did this deter them from 
standing proudly for FREEDOM, the single most important human right that 
has inspired citizens around the world since the beginning of human 
existence?  No.  

Hearing this and other stories of bravery may warm your heart, breathe 
fire into your blood, or inject an honest sense of urgency and passion.  
We hope it will move you to action.  

Many citizens from the world have already chosen to join the struggle 
for freedom in the country of courage.   Americans from Massachusetts to 
Texas, citizens from South Africa to the Philippines, and students from 
Wisconsin and California to Florida and Gerogie are investing their time 
and passion to draw attention to the efforts of the Burmese people.  
Many of these efforts have been succesful--working together, citizens 
around the world have forced over 75 companies to stop doing business 
with the regime, including Wal-Mart, Kenneth Cole, and The Children's 
Place.

However, it has not been enough.  In the past year, one man has risen to 
the top of Burma's dictatorship: the evil Than Shwe.  Under his rule, we 
have seen the news of the rape of over 600 women in the Shan state, the 
massacre of innocent civilians fleeing to live in Thailand, the 
wholesale destruction of Burma's environment, the ongoing imprisonment 
of 1,350 poliical prisoners, and the prolifration of modern day slavery. 
 Few dictators in the world match his notorious record.

Now, we must focus our collective energies on change.  This February, we 
call on Americans and citizens around the world who share the values of 
freedom and democracy to come to Washington, DC where we will learn, 
plan, and strategize a plan to bring serious international pressure to 
bear on Than Shwe and Burma's illegal military regime.  Join with 
hundred of students, professionals, human rights and environmental 
groups, and others to help free Burma.  

WHAT: Burma, Country of Courage
WHEN:  February 14, 15, 16th
WHERE: George Washington University, Washington, DC
WHO TO CONTACT: info at freeburmacoalition.org
Tel: 202-547-5985  Fax: 202-544-6118
HOW TO REGISTER: www.freeburmacoalition.org 
PLEASE REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 1!

Love and hope,

Zar Ni			
Aung Din		
Jeremy Woodrum
Dan Beeton and the whole Free Burma Coalition

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