Protest To Mark Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th Birthday
Van Biak Thang(25 June, 2009)19 June 2009 marked the 64th birthday of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been put on ‘trumped-up’ trial in Burma’s notorious Insein Prison since early May and under house arrest for more than 13 years.
The Chin along with other peoples from Burma sent her birthday wishes and at the same time protested across the globe, demanding the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in SPDC-ruined Burma.
More than 300 protesters last Friday filled up London’s Charles Street in front of Burmese Embassy, chanting slogans including ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi’, ‘Free Burma’ and ‘We Want Democracy’.
Wearing NLD headbands and ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi’ T-shirts, holding NLD flags, posters and placards with some reading ‘Support the people, not the dictators’, the mass protesters also saluted Burma’s national flag and paid tributes in a one-minute silence to those who gave their lives in the struggle for democracy and freedom in Burma.
People from different backgrounds including Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and non-believers stood together in unity, praying for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, for all other political prisoners and for a change in Burma.
Anthony Aris, brother-in-law of Nobel peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, put up a bunch of flowers on the front door of Burmese Embassy, honouring Suu Kyi’s birthday.
One of key speakers at the demonstration outside Burmese Embassy in London, Chin pastor Rev. Shwekey Hoipang prayed and said: “The SPDC has once again detained our leader Aung San Suu Kyi on a set-up trial and she is now in Insein Prison today on her birthday. We want the regime to know that what they are doing is totally wrong and that Aung San Suu Kyi be freed immediately. Let’s keep praying for her and for our country.”
Later in the evening, a concert was held with cultural entertainments in honour and celebration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th birthday where traditional foods were also made available.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been placed under house arrest on numerous occasions since she began her political career, totalling 13 of the past 19 years. It is estimated that there are currently more than 2,100 other political prisoners in the country.
