The Real Disaster in Burma is the Government

The Real Disaster in Burma - animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais

Projection onto Waterloo Station Entrance

Home burned in Te Mu Der village on 4 June 2008

Bullets and shells left behind by the Burma Army after the attack

On the 25th June we joined Burma Campaign UK at Waterloo Station where they were projecting a video of the "The Real Disaster in Burma’, a short animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais, onto the entrance of Waterloo station. The animation makes the point that despite the devastating 2nd May Burma cyclone, the real disaster in Burma is the brutal military government and that they continue to terrorize and oppress the people of Burma.

The reality of the animation is only too clear in recent reports and photos from Free Burma Rangers medical teams: see above photos of a Karen home burnt down by the Burma army on 4th June 2008 during the displacement of 1,000 Karen villagers. The Free Burma Rangers article shows further pictures of land-mine victims and Karen village school children having to hide from the Burmese army. The Karen children are in great danger - a previous Free Burma Ranger article tells of a child they had previously treated being captured in December 2008, tortured, ankle tendons cut open, disemboweled and throat cut by the brutal Burma army. Over 3,200 Karen villages have now been destroyed by the Burmese Army, with 200,000 Karen currently hiding from the Burmese army in the jungles of Burma. Almost 150,000 Karen refugees have been living in Thai refugee camps for up to 20 years. As of October 2007, at least 500,000 people were estimated to be internally displaced in the country’s eastern States. This is, however, a conservative figure as no information exists for several parts of the country.

The Real Disaster in Burma - animated film narrated by Ricky Gervais

http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/therealdisaster.html

Burma Army Attacking and Displacing over 1,000 Karen People on 4 June 2008.

http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2008/20080620.html

Atrocities Continue in Karen State, Burma (13-year-old son Wilbur Htoo tortured and disemboweled)

http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2008/20080419.html

Glastonbury Festival: Little Burmese Tea Shop

Democracy activists from Burma will have a tea stall in the The Green Futures Field at the Glastonbury Music Festival called the "Little Burmese Tea Shop". Tea shops are an intrinsic part of Burmese life - people meet in tea shops throughout the country to speak in hushed tones of the political situation in Burma.

At Glastonbury 2008, the Little Burmese Tea Shop will be focussing on the issue of political prisoners in Burma. Our campaign - to raise awareness on the plight of Burmese political prisoners, and to pressure the military junta to release them - is part of a wider campaign organised by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners for Burma (AAPPB). AAPPB provide valuable and very risky support to political prisoners inside prison, through low profile provision of materials and financial support to their families; enabling the families to visit prisoners who are held far from their loved ones. The stall holders at Glastonbury 2008 are all former political prisoners, and are on hand to speak with visitors to the Tea Shop. Funds raised at the Tea Shop will go to supporting victims of cyclone Nargis which struck Burma in May 2008.

The Tea Shop is also bringing 2 speakers to the Speakers Forum (Friday 15.30 and Sunday morning). Our speakers are Dr Saing and Zaw Zaw Aung. Dr Saing is a medical practitioner who is a long standing political activist in Burma. Arrested in 1974 for political activities as a student, he served 7 years in Insein prison, of which several were in solitary confinement, and during which time he was tortured. After release Dr Saing became active again during the 1988 uprising in Burma, for which he was again imprisoned, serving 7 years of his 20 year sentence. He fled to the UK in Oct 2007, and currently works with Amnesty International. Dr Saing will speak on recent events in Burma, including the monk’s protests of 2007, the recent rewriting of the constitution, as well as his own personal experiences as an activist.

Zaw Zaw Aung was a senior figure in the student body that organised the 1988 uprisings. For this activism he was arrested and served as a political prisoner for 14 years (out of a 20 year sentence) in various prisons across Burma, including several years in solitary confinement. Since his release he has played an important role in supporting former political prisoners in both social welfare and on HIV. He also became very significantly active in a new underground political movement inside Burma, called the ‘88 Students Generation’ (people who were key players in the 1988 uprising, have been political prisoners, and are struggling for genuine tripartite dialogue and national reconciliation).

http://greenfieldsinfo.pbwiki.com/The+Little+Burmese+Tea+Shop

http://greenfuturesfestivals.org.uk/glastonbury.htm

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Virginia Water Totalitarian Oil Protest

Three protesters demonstrated at the Wheatsheaf Total Station at Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4QE on 20th June. They were there due to the large amount of traffic attending Royal Ascot that passes this station, with many a stretch-limousine filling up.

Despite there not being many pedestrians, we were able to leaflet many cars passing by and leaving the station, most of whom were unaware of French Total Oil being the largest western supporter of the brutal Burma junta, funding them with 500 million dollars. Money that does not benefit the Burmese people but funds the military in a war against the Burma people.

Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday Protest

From Indymedia:

The Burmese community and Burma Campaign UK marked Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi 63rd birthday on 19th June with a protest at the Burma Embassy in London. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown later met a delegation of young women from 5 of Burma’s main ethnic nationalities, Burman, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Chin, demonstrating the unity of the people of Burma in their struggle against dictatorship.

Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have called for immediate democratic reform in Burma, and the release of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a joint letter to Aung San Suu Kyi to mark her birthday, the two leaders praised the leader of the National League for Democracy for her exceptional courage and dedication to the Burmese people. Read the letter:

http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page15807.asp

See full article and more photos on Indymedia

Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd Birthday

On June 19th 2008, Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, will celebrate her 63rd birthday. She will spend her birthday alone, under house arrest. She is now in her 13th year of detention. She isn't allowed to see family or friends as all visitors are banned. Her phone line is cut and her post is intercepted.

Aung San Suu Kyi is now serving her third term of house arrest. She was arrested on 30 May, 2003 after the regime's militia attacked her convoy and killed up to 100 of her supporters.

On the day that Aung Sang Suu Kyi celebrates her 63rd birthday alone, the Burmese community and Burma Campaign UK will protest outside the Burmese embassy to highlight her continued detention.

Thursday June 19th - Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday
2:00-3pm Thursday
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh
[Check http://www.bdmauk.org for any changes as times may change]


[Note: This will replace totaloutofburma.org's normal Wednesday protest at the Embassy and Cavendish Square]


Friday June 20th - Total Station Protest
9:15am to 5pm
Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf Service Station
London Road, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4QE
Getting there from London by bus:
London Hounslow to Staines: Hounslow, Bell Road / Bell Corner Stop X Take London Bus 203 to Staines, Elmsleigh Bus Station Stand 5 (46 mins)
Staines to Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf: Elmsleigh Bus Station Stand 3 Dicksons Travel Bus 500 towards Frimley Park, Frimley Park Hospital and get off at Virginia Water, Wheatsheaf (SW-Bound) (13 mins)
Plan other routes via: http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk (buses, trains, underground and coaches, postcode to postcode)
Google Map of Wheatsheaf Service Station : http://preview.tinyurl.com/4unwg3



Saturday June 21st Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday Celebrations

Celebrate Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday with Burmese community in a multinational, traditional & cultural event . Entertainment and Burmese food being served available.

Programme:
Date: Saturday 21st June
Time 1800- 2200.
Location St. Matthias Parish Hall, St Matthias Close, Rush Grove Avenue, Colindale, NW9 6EN.
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/5qgow5

Transport
Tube-Colindale, Northern Line
Bus- 83.183.
Walk: 20 mins from Colindale Station

London protests for next 2 weeks

Wednesday May 28th

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday May 28th
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday May 28th
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Saturday 31st May

Chiswick Total petrol station
2.00pm - 5.00pm Saturday 31st May
Protest at West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
Tube: Turnham Green Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yuqvch


Wednesday 4th June

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday 4th June
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday 4th June
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Saturday 7th June

Chiswick Total petrol station
2.00pm - 5.00pm Saturday 7th June
Protest at West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
Tube: Turnham Green Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yuqvch


Wednesday 11th June

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm Wednesday 11th June
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1:30-3:00pm Wednesday 11th June
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Southfields Get Total Out of Burma Protest

From Indymedia:

Six protesters demonstrated at the Southfields Total Station, 262 Wimbledon Park Road on 21st May 2008. They were protesting against the French oil and gas giant's 500 million dollar a year funding for the brutal military regime in Burma. The money just goes to the evil junta not the poor people of Burma. The regime has allocated just 5 million dollars to cyclone relief, whilst it earned 2 billion dollars in gas exports in 2007.

As well as giving out leaflets about French Total Oil's fuelling of oppression in Burma, the protesters also gave out information on how to donate to the charities assisting cyclone relief in Burma (see donation section in article). Approximately 140,000 people are estimated to have died in the recent cyclone and up to 2.4 million people are at continued risk.

Full Article and more photos

Protests in London next week: 21st May Wednesday

21st May Wednesday

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Protests against French Total Oil's 500 million dollar funding of the brutal Burma junta:

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1.30pm-2:30pm
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Southfields Total Station
5.00pm - 7.00pm (Wednesday)
Protest at Southfields Total Station, 262 Wimbledon Park Road, London SW19 6NL
Tube: Southfields (District Line). Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2eoou7

Burma Cyclone Global Day of Action London Report

French Embassy

US Embassy

Foreign Office

From Indymedia:

Over 100 campaigners, mostly Burmese took part in a protest at the French and US Embassies and the British Foreign Office in London, for the May 17th Global Day of Action for Burma Cyclone Victims. More than 30 events took place worldwide, including in UK, USA, France, Spain, Hong Kong, Thailand, Chile, Australia, Canada, Belgium and Czech Republic. The official death toll has exceeded 140,000 with aid agencies saying 2.5 million people are at further risk.

The protesters called on the French, US and British governments to find ways to aid the Burmese cyclone victims. They were grateful for aid donations given by the international community and the efforts by governments and NGO's to give aid.

The Burmese junta has imposed many obstacles on those wanting to aid cyclone victims, whilst the junta has been more concerned with rigging the military constitution referendum. In the cyclone disaster hit areas the referendum will be held on May 24th, with cyclone victims seeking shelter already having to be moved to make way for the ballot box stations. Head of State General Than Shwe visited the suburbs of Rangoon (not even the devastated Irrawaddy delta region) for the first time after 2 weeks since the cyclone. He already announced the "end to the relief phase" last week and the beginning of a "reconstruction phase". This meant awarding construction projects to the junta cronies for repairs to the tourist sites in Rangoon. After 18 days since the cyclone Nargis hit on 2nd May, aid has only reached a quarter of those in need according to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The UK, France and US have ships in the area capable of supplying massive relief aid but they have been waiting days for diplomatic negotiations with the junta to permit them to save the lives of thousands of Burmese.

ASEAN ministers met on Monday to agree a limited UN coordinated aid deal with Burma. But the deal doesn't allow in foreign experts from the west who have experience in dealing with crises on this scale, and doesn't allow in foreign military with the capacity and logistical experience to deliver aid in the hard to reach delta region.

Full Story and more pictures on Indymedia

May 17th: Global Day of Action for Burma's Cyclone Victims Facebook Event Page
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13683417318

May 16th Burmese Embassy Protest

Burmese protested at the Burmese Embassy in London on May 16th, calling on the junta to allow aid workers into Burma to save thousands of lives. A similar protest was held the previous week.

CANCELLED (European day of action against TOTAL May 16th) JOIN Global Day of Action for Cyclone Nargis victims May 17th

Subject: TOTAL Protest Cancelled: Join the Global Day of Action for Cyclone Nargis victims.

The death toll in Burma from Cyclone Nargis continues to rise; over 1.5 million people are now at risk of dying through disease, famine and dehydration . We know that diseases, such as cholera, dysentery and malaria, are spreading across the Irrawaddy delta. If the world does not intervene soon, aid agencies are warning that the death toll could spiral to over 1.5 million people.

No country could cope with a disaster of this scale alone, yet Burma's Generals are shunning the world's offers of help; they'd rather see their citizens die than accept help from overseas.

A Global Day of Action has been called this Saturday (May 17th) to urge the international community, specifically France, The United Kingdom and the United States, to urgently intervene and deliver aid to the 1.5 million people who need our help. Every day of delay is costing lives.

For this reason we have decided to cancel the European day of action against TOTAL and we are instead asking you to join the global day of action. Protests are so far organised in Canada, the USA, the UK and Australia.

We expect many other countries to join in, check this Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13683417318 to find out if people are protesting near you, If you dont see a protest organised near you why not organise one and let us know by emailing burma_action@yahoo.co.uk

Burma Campaign UK

P.S. Find out more about the Cyclone, actions you can take, and who you can donate to here http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/cyclonenargis.php

Find out details of the protests below:

London Saturday May 17th:

Global Day of Action for Cyclone Nargis victims

Protests will be held outside the French Embassy, the American Embassy and the Foreign office. Details are below and on this map. http://preview.tinyurl.com/4kfpw8
French Embassy: Time: 12:30 - 13:00, Address: 58 Knightsbridge London SW1X 7JT
American Embassy: Time: 13:30 - 14:00 Address: 24 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 2LQ
Foreign Office: 14:40 - 1510 Address: King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH
Transport: You can walk between the French and American Embassy. From the American Embassy to the Foreign office it is a short walk to Bond Street Underground Station, where you can get the Jubilee line to Westminster. From Westminster it is a 3 minute walk to the Foreign Office.
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/4kfpw8

Other Countries
Protests are being planned from Australia to Chile! For details of protests in other countries click here.
http://www.burma-network.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=105


Also:

Friday 16th May
Demonstration outside the Burmese Embassy calling for Aid to be allowed in.
Time: 1-2
Address: 19A, Charles Street, London, W1J 5DX
Nearest tube: Green Park
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Mobile Protest "Let Aid Experts into Burma" for Cyclone Relief

Photos Courtesy of toastyoneuk

From Indymedia:

On May 10th, 10 protesters dressed in black in mourning formed a mobile protest around various London landmarks. They were protesting against the Burma junta's refusal to allow aid experts into Burma for Cyclone relief. They also protested at the junta's disgraceful preoccupation with continuing the rigged referendum [1] on the military biased constitution on May 10th, rather than cyclone relief. See below for Global Day of Action for Cyclone Nargis victims.

The protest had not sought permission, so kept to a maximum of 10 members in a mobile protest. It assembled at Parliament Square and visited Downing Street, the Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Burma Embassy, US Embassy, Millennium Wheel, HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge.

For full article and more photographs

Burmese Cyclone protest at Burma Embassy "Let Aid Experts In"

From Indymedia:

Appalled yet hardly surprised at the junta's callous indifference to the deaths of up to 100,000 citizens and 1.5 million more destitute, the Burmese community protested passionately at their embassy on May 9th for aid experts and aid to be allowed into Burma. Whilst getting away as always with giving the international community the run-around, this time playing games over frustrating aid shipments - the brutal junta has been more preoccupied with rigging its military biased constitution referendum for May 10th.

Whilst international aid agencies desperately try to get the aid experts into Burma, the BBC say the junta's visa staff have gone on a 3 day holiday.

For Full Story and more photographs

Willesden Lane Total Station Protest

On 7th May three protesters demonstrated at Willesden Lane Total Station, 290 Willesden Lane, against Total Oil keeping the brutal Burma junta in power for many years as the largest western support of the evil regime. Total funds the military junta with 500 million dollars a year.

We were able to leaflet many of the cars leaving the station. Some passers-by had already previously seen us at Kilburn in earlier weeks and we had some interesting conversation as they expressed sympathy with the plight of the Burmese.

As well as leafleting people about Total's disgraceful involvement in Burma we also gave them a new leaflet directing people to http://burmacampaign.org.uk/cyclonenargis.php where Burma Campaign lists links to major charities helping with Burma cyclone relief.

The junta has been more concerned with rigging the results of the May 10th military constitution referendum

Quote from May 6th 2008 The Times Editorial Comment Page 16:
'It was bad enough that the military intended to ensure a "yes" vote through a combination of bribery, intimidation and straightforward rigging that makes Robert Mugabe appear an amateur. The notion that it is still seriously considering continuing with its scheme despite the manifest impracticality of doing so in these circumstances is utterly obscene. The world must do its best to help the Burmese people through this immediate natural disaster. It can only be hoped that in time they will be liberated from the man-made disaster that is their military Government as well'

Total Oil's real 1Q2008 Results

Total First Quarter 2008 results were out on Wednesday 7th May. The French oil and gas company's net profit jumped 18 percent on record energy prices to 5.6 billion US dollars.

The fruits of Total's real results however were evident in Burma's twin disasters. The natural cyclone disaster made even worse by the man-made junta disaster that Total has played a large part in keeping in power and has been an accomplice to the exploitation of Burma's resources. The junta allocated just 5 million dollars to cyclone relief whilst it has over 2 billion dollars from gas export earnings in 2007. It was more preoccupied with rigging its May 10th military constitution referendum and frustrating the entry of foreign aid experts. The Burma visa department even went on a 3 day holiday !

French Total Oil funds the selfish brutal junta with 500 million dollars a year, that does not go to the Burmese people but funds the generals and the military in a war against the Burmese people. Total Oil is the largest western supporter of the military junta. The junta keeps a ludicrous official rate of 6 Kyat : 1 US Dollar, whereas the real market rate is 1,000 Kyat: 1 US Dollar enabling massive corruption by the junta.

Cyclone Nargis 22,000+ Dead

So far the death toll is 22,000 but this is expected to rise to over 100,000. In one town Bogalay, 95 per cent of houses were destroyed with 10,000 dead. The cyclone hit the major rice growing region of Burma.

Burma Campaign has a web page on the crisis, with donation links to major charities helping victims of the cyclone eg. Christian Aid, Oxfam, The Red Cross, Islamic Relief and CAFOD.

http://burmacampaign.org.uk/cyclonenargis.php

The US Burma Campaign changed their donation page, to specify whether donations should go to relief aid for the cyclone.

US Burma Campaign Cyclone Relief Donations

Many Burmese in London have been unable to contact their families in Burma. The Burmese democracy community in London is organising its own appeal on
www.freeburmafunduk.blogspot.com - the Funding is supervised by the International Burmese Monks Organization (UK). Details are:

Bank Name : Barclays Bank (uk)
Account Holder Name : Mr A Candobhasa
A/C 90 00 28 36
S/C 20 80 71

Mobile: 078 77 297 205

To use PayPal Account Please Pay to

ashinucandobhas

a [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk

For security, you should independently check the above details at well known Burmese websites eg.

www.bdmauk.org Burmese Democracy Movement Association

www.ko-htike.blogspot.com a widely read Burmese blog

Other Burmese donation appeals

www.bsouk.org - The non-political Burmese Student Association is organising its own appeal

Don't forget the many refugees needing assistance at the Thailand Burma border. Their numbers are bound to be increased with further refugees from the cyclone hit area. Charities assisting them were already having to ration rice due to the high world prices. Donations to help with refugees can be sent on this link to the Thailand Burma Border Consortium. This is a UK registered charity and an consortium of 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from nine countries providing food, shelter and non food items to refugees and displaced people from Burma. They had previously had to impose rations in April due to lack of funds and high rice prices.

The British Government has announced £5m in humanitarian assistance for cyclone victims in Burma. We hope this is additional aid and not redirected aid from an existing aid budget.

Burma: It Can't Wait

Hollywood Stars Team up with the Human Rights Action Center to Launch Campaign on Behalf of the People of Burma

Will Ferrell, Anjelica Huston, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Page, Judd Apatow, Mana, Sylvester Stallone, Eric Szmanda, Sarah Silverman Part of 30-Day Call-to-Action to Free Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Aung San Suu Kyi

WASHINGTON & BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Human Rights Action Center and the U.S. Campaign for Burma have joined together to create “Burma: It Can’t Wait,” a first-of-its-kind, 30-day campaign using influential celebrity voices to help build a million-person movement to free Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.

For videos see www.burmaitcantwait.org

Hammersmith Goldhawk Road get Total Oil out of Burma protest

From Indymedia:

Six protestors demonstrated at the Raven Total station, near Stamford Brook subway station on 372 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith, 30th April. They called on the French oil company to stop funding the military dictatorship with 500 million dollars a year. Total has long been an accomplice of the corrupt junta's theft of Burma's resources, funding their brutal oppression of the Burmese people and the genocide of ethnic minorities. Total's pipeline was built with slave labour.

There were road works causing slow traffic near the station. The weather was bad but the protesters were in good spirits and held a "Beep 4 Burma. Boycott Total" banner, to which many passing cars, including buses beeped in support of the protest.

The police briefly chatted with the protesters after stopping a passing car. The nice policeman we spoke to was sympathetic with the plight of the people in Burma and our protest, even suggesting larger banners.

Full Story and recent Burma News on Indymedia

Protests in London next week

7th May Wednesday

Meet at Burma Embassy to join daily protest
12:00-1pm
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total 1st Quarter 2008 Results
Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1.30pm-2:30pm
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Willesden Lane Total Station Protest
5.00pm - 7.00pm (Wednesday)
Protest at Willesden Lane Total Station, 290 Willesden Lane, Willesden NW2 5HS
Tube: Willesden Green. Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3g2loe

Kilburn protest against Total in Burma

From Indymedia:

Six protesters demonstrated at Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd on Wednesday 23rd April. They called on the French oil company to stop funding the military dictatorship in Burma with 500 million dollars a year, fuelling the brutal regime's oppression in Burma. The foreign currency provided by Total enables the regime to buy weapons used to persecute the Burmese people and ethnic minorities.

The protesters distributed hundreds of leaflets to passers-by, many of whom were interested to learn more about events in Burma and discuss human rights in other parts of the world as well as Burma.

Some passing cars also stopped to ask for leaflets, though we were intending to just leaflet the passers-by.

Full Story and Recent Burma News

PROTESTS IN LONDON NEXT WEEK

WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1.30pm-2:30pm
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Hammersmith Total Station protest
5.00pm - 7.00pm (Wednesday)
Protest at Raven Total station, 372 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith W6 0XF
Tube: Stamford Brook. Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/29w9lu

BURMA CAMPAIGN MAY 16TH PROTEST : Tell TOTAL to pull out of Burma on 16TH MAY
European Day of Action against TOTAL on May 16th Event on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16050426753 (Host Burma Campaign UK)

Chiswick protest to get Total Oil Out of Burma

From Indymedia:

Five protesters demonstrated at the Total West Four petrol station on 137 Chiswick High Road on Wednesday 17th April. The protest was against the French Total Oil's support for the brutal Burma junta dictatorship. Burma's democracy leader, Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has said that “Total is the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma. Total Oil gives 500 million dollars a year to the brutal Burmese dictatorship. Total's Yadana gas pipeline was built using forced labour.

The protesters displayed "BEEP 4 BURMA. BOYCOTT TOTAL" banners and distributed leaflets. They were very grateful for the local support in Chiswick. One of the shop owners took a leaflet, then came back for more leaflets for her colleagues in her shop only to return for even more leaflets for her friends at the neighbouring restaurant. She vowed to avoid Total petrol stations in future.

Full Story

LONDON PROTESTS NEXT WEEK

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
1.30pm-2:30pm
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn, NW6 7QG
5:00pm - 7:00pm (Wednesday)
Tube: Kilburn | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2e8bb5

Asking Wallace Art Collection not to accept Total Blood Money

From Indymedia

We visited the Wallace Art Collection at Hertford House, Manchester Square, London on April 9th. They have been considering accepting money from the French oil company, Total that is the largest western sponsor of the brutal military junta in Burma and whose pipeline was built with slave labour. Total seeks to whitewash its dirty image by associating with the Arts.

When last asked Burma Campaign hadn't received a reply to their request to the gallery not to accept sponsorship from Total. At our last visit to the gallery on 19th March a senior member of the gallery had said a final decision had not yet been made. Since then an independent inquiry from an Indymedia reader, appeared to confirm that the gallery was going to accept sponsorship in the form of a "Corporate Membership" scheme for Total.

Several distinguished regular visitors to the gallery were very concerned that the gallery might be accepting Total sponsorship and gave us their full support. One was going to write to the director of the gallery and another who had lived in Burma spoke to the reception staff who denied Total sponsorship but seemed confused about the issue. So this visitor kindly asked the gallery to reply to Burma Campaign if they were not accepting money from Total. This time nobody from the gallery came and spoke to us.

We hope the gallery will help preserve humanity as well as Art !

Full Story and Burma news



Jersey Burma Water Festival Saturday April 12th

The Jersey Burma Group asked us to add news of this event. For anyone in Jersey, come and add to the candle lit vigil at the water feature and at the same time you’ll be supporting Burma Campaign UK and orphanages on the Burmese border. Saturday 12th April is an important date in Burma. It is the start of the Burmese Water Festival, an opportunity for fun and to jokingly criticise problems in the country before their New Year on 17th April.

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 10:30pm
Location: Liberation Square, St Helier, Jersey
Street: Esplanade / La Route de la Liberation
Email: burmagroup [at] jerseymail (dot) co (dot) uk
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10647158348


Protests in London Next Week


Wednesday 16th April

[Edited 12th April - Burma Embassy closed all week for Burmese New Year so Cavendish Square protest time has been made earlier]

Total London HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
12.00-2:00pm
Tube: Oxford Circus | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2tylug

Chiswick Total petrol station
5.00pm - 7.00pm (Wednesday 16th April)
Protest at West Four Total petrol station, 137 Chiswick High
Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
Tube: Turnham Green
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yuqvch

Olympic Torch report

Torch approaches Downing Street with protesters opposite

The totaloutofburma.org group joined with Burma Campaign UK and the Burmese to protest for Burma as the Olympic Torch came to London on April 6th. We were positioned just opposite the gates of Downing Street, next to the Tibetan protesters who must have numbered well over a thousand.

We brought banners asking for a UN Arms embargo against Burma. The British government has stated that it would support a UN Arms embargo, but we need other security council members, particularly China and Russia to support or at least not veto such a resolution. Sadly China gives a lot of support for the corrupt Burma junta supplying weapons and finance and has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called on the regime to begin transition to democracy.

Indymedia has a summary of the London Olympic Torch protests here: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/395922.html

The Olympic Torch procession originally began in the 1936 Berlin Olympics when it was used for propaganda by the Nazis and taken through countries they conquered a few years later. The BBC has a long history of Olympic protests here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7334362.stm.

We are not anti-China or anti-Chinese and hope that China will achieve humanitarian success in future as well as economic success.

Wrexham crew return to Chester Total garage

From Indymedia:

Members and supporters of Wrexham Women for Peace and Wrexham Peace and Justice Forum visited the TOTAL petrol station in Hoole, Chester again last night as part of the continuing calls for TOTAL to get out of Burma.


There was a very positive response again to our demo for the people of Burma at Hoole TOTAL petrol station. Only a handful of drivers and passers-by refused to take leaflets, the garage forecourt was empty for most of the time we were there, some drivers decided not to fill up after taking the leaflets, and others drove straight in and out.

The air was filled with supportive 'beeps' and we got chatting with several people, including three young guys who have a friend working in one of the refugee camps on the Thai/Burma border, and a German from Rostock who was in Chester for a conference and said he was surprised to see people demonstrating in Britain!

Surprisingly, there was no resistance from the petrol station to our leafleting drivers on the forecourt this time, although when we invaded en masse, the manager did get onto his tannoy.

For more information about the situation in Burma, see http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/

For more photos from this action, see the original report on Indymedia.

Any Chester-based people like to make this event happen more often? Please get in touch. wrexham woman
e-mail: wrexhamwomen[at]yahoo.co.uk

Olympic Torch protest and next weeks protests

Sunday 6th April

Olympic Torch Protest against China's support for the Burmese regime

On Sunday the Burma Campaign UK and the Burmese community will be highlighting China's continued support for Burma's brutal regime by holding a peaceful protest as the Olympic Torch comes to London.

Why China?
China arms the regime, supplying weapons, bullets and military vehicles to the brutal army. China finances the regime , by signing deals in the oil, gas, hydro-electric and mining sectors china provides the regime with an economic lifeline. China protects the regime by blocking UN Security Council action on Burma

By providing economic, political and logistical support China is helping to keep the brutal generals in power in Burma.

Time: 12:30-1:30
Location: Opposite Downing Street, at junction of Whitehall and Richmond Terrace.
Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yv54pt
Nearest Tube: Westminster
See the location here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yv54pt

Invite your friends to the Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10091604641

The torch is scheduled to pass at 1pm.
Map of torch route

Wednesday 9th April

Meet at Burma Embassy for normal daily Burmese protest
12:00-1pm
Myanmar/Burma Embassy 19A, Charles St, London W1J 5DX.
Tube: Green Park | Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vnnbh

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square London W1U 3BN
Sadly despite appeals this art gallery seems to be accepting Total's blood money sponsorship and whitewashing Total's dirty image.
Event Time: 1:30pm - up to 5pm (gallery opens to public 10:00am - 5pm)
Tube: The nearest tubes are Bond Street (Central & Jubilee Lines) and Baker Street (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines). Oxford Circus (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria Lines) is a 10-15 minute walk.
Map: http://www.wallacecollection.org/visiting/howtoreachus/map
Google Map: http://preview.tinyurl.com/29ny5f

Totalitarian Fossil Fools Day

From Indymedia:

Totalitarian Fossil Fools Day took place at the Dorest House Total Petrol Station 170-172 Marylebone Rd on April 1st. Joining in with the events of www.fossilfoolsday.org the 5 protesters demonstrated against the French oil company's fossil foolishness causing climate change and pollution as well as the usual protest against Total's support of the brutal Burma junta. Total funds the evil junta with 500 million dollars a year and its gas pipeline in Burma was built with slave labour (see www.totaldenialfilm.com).

The heavy Marylebone Road traffic beeped in support of the "BEEP 4 BURMA BOYCOTT TOTAL" banners and many taxi drivers visiting the station requested leaflets about the protest. One passer-by made a point of vowing to the protesters never to get petrol from Total ever again.

In January 2008 Total's fossil foolishness was recognised by the French courts as they convicted Total of France's worst oil disaster over the sinking of the tanker Erika off the coast of Brittany in December 1999. The disaster leaked 20,000 tonnes of oil into the sea, contaminating 400km of coastline. Having tried to deny responsibility Total was fined 375,000 euros (£280,000) and ordered to pay a share of nearly 200m euros in damages. The fine was the maximum penalty allowed. See BBC news article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7192085.stm

In the UK over 34 actions took place in 18 cities on Fossil Fools Day. For a round-up of protests see:
http://risingtide.org.uk/node/273 and http://www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org

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