The one-year anniversary of the Saffron Revolution

One year ago this week, long-time Fellowship of Reconciliation leader Richard Deats returned from a week-long trip to Rangoon, Burma. Traveling as a tourist, he gave a series of nonviolence workshops to a number of Burmese people who sought to learn about the practices and ideology of active nonviolent resistance while living in an autocratic, repressive state. Richard’s writings about the experience have been published in Fellowship, Beliefnet, Sojourners, Common Dreams, and elsewhere.

Just after Deats left Burma, monks and other Burmese began marching in the streets of their cities, calling for change, and the "Saffron Revolution" began. With the first anniversary of that courageous resistance approaching next week, Burmese monks, Burmese-Americans, human rights activists, and others wishing to express solidarity with the Burmese people are preparing to walk and vigil at the United Nations in a call to the Burmese government and the U.N. to effect change.

The following call was sent to FOR from Margaret Howe of the Clear View Project, also affiliated with the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. Please join FOR, BPF, the Clear View Project and others in this important witness next week (and e-mail Margaret or FOR’s office if you would like a copy of the flyer for distribution):

Invite- Saffron Rev. anniv in NYC

It has been one year since 100,000 Burmese monks bravely walked through their streets chanting the teachings of the Buddha on loving-kindness.

The International Burmese Monks Organization has named September 26 as the day to commemorate this courageous uprising of non-violence in the face of the brutal Burmese regime. There will be vigils and peace walks all around the world in solidarity with the Burmese.

Here are announcements for the three events in NYC that the Burmese monks from IBMO are either benefiting from or hosting. Please come if you are in the area and spread the word. See http://burmesemonks.org/ for more info.

Thanks so much.
Peace,

~ Margaret Howe
Clear View Project

The Saffron Revolution: Commemorating the Brave Acts of the Monks and Nuns and the People of Burma
New York, NY — 22-27 September 2008
Last September, 100,000 people took to the streets until the military regime brutally cracked down on the non-violent uprising led by monks. Today, the repression in Burma continues unabated. Join the Monks, who took part in last year’s peaceful protests and support the Burmese in their struggle for peace and freedom.

Tuesday, 23 SEPTEMBER
Reading Burma: A Benefit for Cyclone Relief and Freedom of Expression in Burma
With Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, George Packer, Kiran Desai and Venerable Ashin Gawsita
The Great Hall of Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street — 7th and 3rd Avenue (at Cooper Square), 7 pm — smarttix.com

Thursday, 25 SEPTEMBER
A Special Briefing by Leading Monks of the 2007 Burma Uprising
Moderated by: Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro
777 UN Plaza, 2nd Floor (Corner of 1st Avenue and 44th Street), 11:00 am-Noon
Limited Space — RSVP ibmohq@gmail.com

Friday, 26 SEPTEMBER
Peace Walk for Burma
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, United Nations
47th and 1st Avenue
Noon — Interfaith Gathering with Spiritual and Community Leaders including the Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi
Testimony from Burmese Monks, Documentary of the Saffron Revolution
1:00 pm — Peace Walk to the UN
2:00 — 4:00 pm — Prayers and Meditation