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INDIANA FREE BURMA CAMPAIGN: PRESS



Subject: INDIANA FREE BURMA CAMPAIGN: PRESS RELEASE 




By David Horne
Indiana University
                                                       October 21, 1995

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana--Less than three weeks after community action began from 
a film lecture series, a formal group has formed.  Approximately 15 people 
gathered to form an unincorporated association on October 20, 1995.  

The group discussed possible names and voted on them.  Majority voted for the
name "Campaign for a Free Burma of Bloomington, Indiana."  With a name and 
purpose the group began to setup contacts, resources and funding. The campaign 
discussed the situation with the Indiana University Alumni Association's future
trip to Burma.  Petitions had already begun to be circulated by Amnesty 
International and the campaign had a revised version of the petition to use 
additionally.  A Campaign's delegation will begin talks with the head of the 
Alumni Association. If the talks are not productive than the campaign will 
attempt to meet with the President of Indiana University, Myles Brand.  As a 
last resort, the members decided to use the petitions and become vocal against 
the IU Alumini's planned  trip to "Visit Myanmar Year 1996" which is 
undoubtedly going to fund SLORC, the military dictatorship in Burma, to rape, 
torture, and kill its citizens.

The protest on October 27, is already in full swing.  A few members met earlier
on Friday, Oct 20 to make posters and a banner for use at the picket of the 
local Pepsi plant.  Some of the posters read "BOYCOTT PEPSI = BOYCOTT TORTURE",
"PEPSI: WHERE ARE THE ETHICS?", "PEPSI, THE BLOOD IS ON YOUR COMPANY".  The 
large banner pronounces boldly "PEPSICO GET OUT OF BURMA".  The picket has been
researched in advance.  The Police, Pepsi(local), and a large array of media 
have been contacted.  Public property has been found to stand on for the 
protest.  The campaign anticipates a crowd of at least 50 to come throughout 
the three hour period.  Bloomington will be taken by storm to acknowledge and 
defeat the atrocities taking place in Burma.  With selective purchasing in
the works and planned educational events there will be many opportunities for 
local citizens voice their dismay with the injustice.  

The newly formed campaign anticipates great success in all their endeavors and 
welcomes all questions, comments, or criticisms for healthy growth.  The 
campaign has high profile membership with the Dean of International Affairs at 
Indiana University, Dr. Kenneth A. Rogers and the support of professor Dr. Norbu
(the Dalai Lama's brother who resides in the community).  Legal advice was 
given by the local attorney, Marcy Wenzler.  The Campaign for a Free Burma of 
Bloomington, Indiana enlists for the battles at hand in the growing Free Burma 
Movement within the United States and abroad.

Contact persons for Free Burma Campaign at Indiana are:

Tun Myint                    Marcy Wenzler
National Campaign Contact    Community & legal contact
Tel (812) 339-3888           Tel (812) 339-9631 
e-mail: tmyint@xxxxxxxxxxx       

David Horne                  
Campuswide Contact          
Tel (812) 824-9680          
e-mail: dhorne@xxxxxxxxxxx