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Immediate Press Release-Candle Ligh



Immediate Press Release
August 17, 1998

Democratic Burmese Students Organization (USA)

Burmese democracy activists and members of the Democratic Burmese
Students Organization (DBSO-USA) have launched a 24 hr fast and a candle
light vigil demonstration in Washington DC. Burmese democracy activists
have been staging a candle light vigil to protest the arrest of the
eighteen international democracy activists and blockage of freedom of
movement for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Nineteen candles which represent 18
democracy heroes/heroines and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were lit in front of
the residence of the Burmese military regime?s representative in
Washington DC. Two of the eighteen released democracy activists, two
students from American University, held a press conference at the
demonstration site. They pledged to continue their work for a free
Burma. Burmese democracy activists vow to continue their demonstration
until the current stand off is resolved.

The aim of the demonstration is to put more pressure on the Burmese
military regime to allow freedom of movement for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
and National League for Democracy members. The current road blockage of
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?s car by the regime clearly indicates the regime?s
disrespect of the rights of Burmese citizens. The demonstration will go
on until the current standoff is resolved. A group of students fasting
will be replaced every 24 hours by another group until the goal is
achieved. We cordially invite all Burmese democracy activists to join us
in the struggle for free Burma.

Contact Persons: Ko Yin Aye and Ko Aung Thu (301) 770-1499

Place- 2223 R street NW Washington DC

A prayer vigil organized by DIWA and Philippine American Bar Association
(PABA) will be held in front of the Burmese embassy in Washington DC.
The vigil is to protest and condemn the human rights violations in
Burma, specifically the arrest of six American and two Filipinos in the
exercise of their freedom of speech, expression and peaceful assembly
under various international human rights instruments.

Contact Persons: Arnedo S. Valera Esquire (703) 847-8299
  Fr. Steve De Leon                  (703) 528-6061