China's Brutal Crackdowns in Tibet

Dear Burma Supporters,

If you are outraged by the news and images of ongoing brutal crackdowns against monk protesters in Tibet (the same thing you witness last Sept/Oct in Burma), you can help by following the actions outlined below.

Tibet, Burma, Darfur and Funlung Gong activists are jointly pushing for a resolution that will put a major blow to China and its Olympic torch visit to San Francisco on April 9th. We can't let China get away with hosting the world's precious Olympic at the same time committing/causing broad human rights violations in Tibet, China, Burma, Darfur and around the world.

The city has already approved the Burma resolution last October and thanks for all your help then. Now, this will be an important resolution to get passed, and your actions are greatly requested.

Stand up for the powerless and give voice to them.
BADA (Burmese-American Democratic Alliance)
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Expose Beijing Coalition Supports SF Board Resolution on Human Rights and The Olympics

Five steps you can take now! Before Thursday!

(1) Below and attached is a Board resolution commending the Tibetan Freedom Torch, Global Human Rights Torch Relay, and generally calling attention to China's role in human rights issues. It has been referred to an unfriendly committee where two of the three members must vote it out to the full Board for their action: Carmen Chu, Jake McGoldrick, and Sean Elsbernd are the three members who must be called now. Those who live or work in their three Districts (see details by control clicking on their names below) will carry greater weight, but all should call on them.

(2) SF residents, please, before March 20th, contact your Supervisor now asking that they support passage of Chris Daly's Resolution Commending Tibetan Freedom Torch and Global Human Rights Torch Relay. Not sure which Supe is yours? Control click on their name and see District definition information

Aaron Peskin*
District 3
* Board President
(415) 554-7450 - voice
(415) 554-7454 - fax
Aaron.Peskin@sfgov.org

Jake McGoldrick
District 1
415) 554-7410 - voice
(415) 554-7415 - fax
Jake.McGoldrick@sfgov.org

Michela Alioto-Pier
District 2
(415) 554-7752 - voice
(415) 554-7843 - fax
Michela.Alioto-Pier@sfgov.org

Carmen Chu
District 4
415) 554-7460 - voice
(415) 554-7432 - fax
Carmen.Chu@sfgov.org

Ross Mirkarimi
District 5
(415) 554-7630 - voice
(415) 554-7634 - fax
Ross.Mirkarimi@sfgov.org

Chris Daly
District 6
chris.daly@sfgov.org or
call our City Hall office 415-554-7970.

Sean Elsbernd
District 7
(415) 554-6516 - voice
(415) 554-6546 - fax
Sean.Elsbernd@sfgov.org

Bevan Dufty
District 8
(415) 554-6968 - voice
(415) 554-6909 - fax
Bevan.Dufty@sfgov.org

Tom Ammiano
District 9
(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax
Tom.Ammiano@sfgov.org

Sophie Maxwell
District 10
415) 554-7670 - voice
(415) 554-7674 - fax
Sophie.Maxwell@sfgov.org

Gerardo Sandoval
District 11
Gerardo.Sandoval@sfgov.org
(415) 554-6975
Fax: (415) 554-6979

(3) Offer very brief statement around 1 p.m. (we can't guarantee the time) on Thursday, March 20th in the Board Chambers of City Hall before the Board's City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee hearing on the resolution. State your District residency or organizational tie;

(4) Attend the press conference at noon with Chris Daly on the steps of City Hall (opposite Civic Center on One Goodlet Place); and

(5) Visit our web site for further actions on April 5th (Union Square), April 8th (Civic Center and Chinese Consulate), and April 9th (tbd).

Burma's Famous Writer, LuDu Sein Win's Speech

(Translation of Ludu U Sein Win’s Speech given on March 9th, 2008)

"Dear friends:

In the history of the World, there’s never been a despot who willingly relinquished the power within his clutch. Hitler had to be overpowered. By the same token, the Philippines’ Marcos and Indonesia’s Suharto had to be forced out.

Nor has there ever been a country that was successfully rescued by the United Nations. So please don’t fantasize—don’t waste time dealing with the Security Council or brokering dialogues.

The Country is hurting; the people are suffering. We’ve endured this regime for nearly half a century. [Our struggle] ought to be brought to a swift end. We already have the power necessary to defeat the regime. It’s People Power. Nothing is more powerful than that.

Last September, during the Saffron Revolution, we showed you the courage of our monks, students, and the public. The voices of those who claimed the people could no longer stir or rise up; those who, based on this notion, advocated dialogues and negotiation in the hope of securing positions and favor for themselves—these voices have been silenced forever.

Friends, this is the critical moment when the tide can turn. The Saffron Revolution made this possible. Its momentum reached worldwide. We must make the most of this chance.

Believe in the Burmese people’s heroism. Believe in People Power. Defeat the Despot with People Power."

Ludu Sein Win (Burma's Famous Writer)
March 3, 2008