Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial in prison today in Burma. What does this mean for us as Americans and citizens of the world? In my opinion, this courageous leader and the Burmese people need our support in their fight for freedom and democracy. Here is a vlog that Jim Carrey has made making his personal statement in support of Aung San Suu Kyi and asking us to help in an email campaign.
In this BBC clip, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's release "immediately and unconditionally" as well as the release of the rest of the politcal prisoners being held in Burma.
And this is a link to a France 24 news report about Aung San Suu Kyi's trial today:
IN THE FIELD: The trial of Burmas pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi opened Monday amid tight security at an infamous jail in the country's main city. At least one person was arrested near the prison, where some 200 Suu Kyi supporters were gathered.
How else can we help? Among our opportunities: Check out the U.S. Campaign for Burma. Participate in their "Arrest Yourself" for a day and host a party.
Update: Sorry, I'd looked at more than one of the Jim Carrey videos. Here's the video with the email address:
And here is the email address he suggests: inquiries@un.org
UPDATE: 19.MAY.09
Here is an email I just received, highlighting the seriousness of this situation. Again, Aung San Suu kyi and the Burmese people need the world's help. What will we do?
Dear Beth,
Thanks for your article which is really great and highlighting the Burma cause. Today,the military junta adjourned the Aung San Suu kyi case again. This is the tactics they had been using for the last twenty years to ease the pressure. We are exhausted that we may have bloodshed again like we had in 1988 to restore the democracy.
Inside 88 generation students,Monks and other organizations are calling for the people power to toppled the dictatorship in Burma.The situation is tense and we are starting the decisive battle.
Thank you very much for taking part and we really need people like you. Please keep on standing with us. Burma Democratic Concern thanks to everyone and value everybody for voicing out for the voiceless people of Burma. Please feel free to contact us....best,
Ohn mar oosecretary
Burma Democratic Concern Registered No:6496926 Registered Address 2nd Floor,145-157 St John Street EC1V 4PY United Kingdom Telephone: 00-44 208 493 9137 00-44 787 788 2386 Fax No:+44 208 626 9045 E-mail: Websites http://www.bdcburma.org http://www.bdc-burma.blogspot.com http://www.youtube.com/user/bdcburma http://www.gcast.com/u/bdcburma/main
Beth Arnold lives and writes in Paris. To see more of her work, go to www.betharnold.com.