The Freedom To Lead Campaign Gains Momentum
by ERICA LIEPMANN, Causecast Associate Editor
This summer, Causecast partnered with the U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center to launch the Freedom to Lead Campaign. Artist Shepard Fairey’s iconic Freedom to Lead image of Aung San Suu Kyi is the symbol of the campaign.
This week, to commemorate the Saffron Revolution and bring renewed attention of the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners in Burma, activists around the world have been staging protests and other events to draw international attention to Burma. Fairey’s image, and the Freedom to Lead campaign, are rapidly becoming synonymous with Aung San Suu Kyi. Protesters everywhere are proudly displaying their Freedom to Lead posters as they raise awareness about the situation in Burma. Buddhist monks in Pittsburgh carried their Freedom to Lead posters to bring awareness about Burma to the G20 Summit.
Burma activists do have a recent bit of good news to celebrate – the Obama administration has decided on a change in U.S. policy toward Burma, which will seek to open channels of communication with the military junta. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has announced this week that the U.S. will now be willing to engage the Burmese leaders in discussion. Although the U.S. won’t be lifting trade sanctions, the Obama administration has recognized for the first time that this policy alone isn’t enough to bring about change in Burma.
If you want to take action for Burma:
• Join Causecast for our Flash Mob this weekend at the Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice. At exactly 4:00 p.m., hundreds of people will unveil their Freedom To Lead posters and stand silently for five minutes. Stop by Causecast HQ at 969 Colorado Blvd. in Santa Monica to pick up a poster, and RSVP on our Facebook event page.
• Go to the U.S. Campaign For Burma site and sign up to host a day of action during the
When you sign up, U.S. Campaign For Burma will send you a DVD of the new film Crossing Midnight, for you to screen at your event. The documentary follows a group of Burmese refugees who set up a clinic and school on the border of Burma and Thailand. You’ll also receive an action pack full of ideas for how you and your audience can take action for Burma.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Human Rights
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I went to this event last weekend and I had a great time. It was amazing to see how many people were interested within the five minutes I was holding the poster. I feel like I informed a lot of people about Burma and I hope that more people will continue to show support and inform others about the importance of fighting for Human Rights.
I think its a Great Innititative. Furthermore it is essential to act and KEEP acting NOW! First of all its is THE Best Place to go and convey the Message at this Time-The g20 or UN. Secondly, in Burma itself Suu Kyi+Burma's People need all the Help they can get. They have tried to help themselves, but nothing will work against such a ruthless adversary. Thirdly, now that China is growing into and accepting a role as a Major World Nation -rightly so- this may be a good moment (mile stone) for them to accept the international responsibility (father ship?) that comes with it. So, anyone who can - please go join the flashmobs and otherwise support the campaign in your own way.
To highlight the role of China in this matter. The Peoples Republic has made enormous investments in infra-structure etc in order to unlock the nations on its souther border and make direct traffic & trade possible. Economies are thriving and Chinese are even living in Burma in growing numbers. This is a great thing except for the problem with the Burma Government. Apart from all the politics its just a fact that the underdevelopment of Burma is caused by the Military Government. This Militray Government is by no means 'Peoples Representative' as in China. They have promised to mend their ways many times, but have never done so... If this is the case- Then what should China think or do about this? -> Let me know via twitter! Yes, I hereby call upon Chinese National Citizens to ask themselves this question, study the matter, and perhaps find ways to Support Burma and petition the PRC Government to support Suu Kyi.
It would be a leading step for China if it does so?? Think about it!