Demonstration against SLORC in Wash

[FreeBurma@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Demonstration against SLORC in Washington, D.C.


Organizations in United States Stage Protest in Washinton D.C.
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About 40 people from different Burmese organizations, including student 
leaders, and the Burmese community at large rallied in front of the 
Burmese embassy at 11 am on May 27 to commemorate the fifth anniversary 
of the 1990 election in Burma and to stage a protest against the Burmese 
military regime for its refusal to honor the results of the general 
election.

Representatives from different organizations delivered speeches praising 
the Burmese people for their overwhelming vote for democracy in 1990, 
condemning the military junta for keeping national leader and Nobel 
Peace Laureate Daw Aung Suu Kyi under house arrest without any legal 
justification, and for harsh treatment of dissidents--nine students were 
given seven year jail terms each recently for singing student songs and 
chanting slogans at the funeral of former Prime Minister U Nu.

The speakers called for an economic sanction against military-run Burma, 
for a boycott against all companies and corporations conducting business 
with the military junta, and not to visit Burma while SLORC is in power 
as the revenue will only serve the intersts of the military junta.

In their speeches, the students -- Ko Yin Aye, Ma Khin Ohmar, Ko Nyi 
Nyi Lwin and Ko Roland -- also questioned SLORC's claim that the country 
is developing.  Pointing to hardships being faced by the common people, 
the students said only the elite ruling class and those close to 
them are benefitting from the situation.  They called on the military to 
place the interests of the people and the country before others.

Following the speeches, the protestors, carrying placards that denounce 
the military dictators and a banner calling for the release of Daw Aung 
San Suu Kyi, chanted slogans to press their demands. They said, "We will 
prevail! Democracy Will Come to Burma!"

The rally was also attended by U Bo Hla-Tint of the NCGUB, 
representatives of the Committee for Restoration of Democracy in Burma, 
the Democratic Burmese Students Organization (USA), the Laimi 
Association, Overseas Lahu Development Organization and the Shan State 
Association (USA) and other Burmese patriots.


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