Commemorating the 23rd Anniversary of 8.8.88

By Joy Agner

Twenty-three years ago today hundreds of thousands of Burmese people took to the streets demanding change, demanding democracy. Like many of the recent uprisings in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the revolution was led by students. Young people, perhaps emboldened by a sense of invincibility or unadulterated optimism, took incredible risks sacrificing security for the possibility of freedom. On September 18, 1988 the euphemistically titled State Law Order and Restoration Council (SLORC) cracked down hard in a desperate attempt to maintain power. Over 3,000 protesters were killed on 8/8/88 alone, 10,000 exiled, and countless jailed, injured, and affected.

Today, the Burmese government claims to be on the path to democracy, complete with an elected civilian government. On Saturday, July 14, I had a personal encounter with this so-called democracy. I traveled to Tachilek carrying pro-democracy music, literature, stickers that read “Peace in Burma Now,” and postcards with the image of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. My intention was to send a message of encouragement and solidarity to those striving and hoping for peace. Such materials are illegal in Burma, so I distributed them randomly, giving those who found them a choice whether or not to take them, and the ability to easily and honestly deny culpability […]

8.8.88: Burma’s Past + Future

The Free Burma VJ Campaign and the Best Friend Library on Saturday organised a special event to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of Burma’s nationwide pro-democracy uprising where shared information about new campaign developments.

The event took place at the Sangdee Gallery in Chiang Mai, and attracted around 90 people […]

Alms giving in honor of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 66th Birthday

To celebrate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 66th Birthday, her first free birthday in nine years, The Best Friend Library in Mae Sot took part in a alms giving to more than 400 monks from Mae Sot and Myawaddy […]

Aung San Suu Kyi birthday surprise flash mob in Chiang Mai

This past weekend was significant for millions of Aung San Suu Kyi supporters all around the world, as 19 June 2011 was Daw Suu’s first birthday to be celebrated outside of house arrest in seven years. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, members of The Best Friend Library joined dozens of other activists from many other Burma-related organizations to perform in surprise ‘flash mobs’ in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi in busy locales across the city […]

‘It has been too long for us already—way too long’

Khin Ohmar has pledged over 23 years of her life to the fight for democracy in Burma. As a leading student figure in the 1988 anti-military uprising, she was forced to flee Burma to seek refuge in Thailand. Since completing university in the U.S., she has gained considerable experience in international and regional advocacy, working with the Women’s League of Burma, the Burmese Women’s Union, and now Burma Partnership.

Her profound experiences have not changed her warm demeanor. She remains humble and open, and generously devotes her time to Burma’s cause in any way she can – whether at prominent ASEAN summits or in spontaneous intimate gatherings at The Best Friend Library in Chiang Mai […]

Burmese monks meet the Swiss government

On Tuesday 5 April 2011, Burmese monks Ashin Kovida and Ashin Sopaka will offer a statement to the Swiss government. With this statement, they ask for support for the Burmese people […]

Shan State Earthquake Relief Project

As many of you are already aware, a large earthquake (6.8 magnitude) occurred last Thursday evening in eastern Shan State. The quake was strong enough that we could feel it at our library in Chiang Mai. Luckily, there were no deaths and no major damage here in Chiang Mai. However, the number of casualties in Shan State is believed to be more than 200. A number of townships suffered widespread destruction, and hundreds — possibly thousands — of villagers were injured and have lost their homes.

The emergency response from the ‘government’ in Burma has been very slow and characteristically paranoid. Burma’s leaders are more concerned with limiting access to to journalists and relief workers than making sure the people who need help receive it quickly. Similar to the regime’s response after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the government is requesting that international organizations only donate directly to the central government, but as we have learned in the past, it is unwise to trust the regime to deliver donated aid fully and efficiently.

Here at The Best Friend, we are working quickly to implement an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise money for organizations that have direct access to the affected areas in Shan State, and can help the people inside: the Shan State Earthquake Relief Project […]

‘Boycott Air Bagan’ Campaign Launched in Chiang Mai

On October 28th a group of Burmese and international citizens with a concern for the people of Burma launched a campaign in Chiang Mai, Thailand, calling for a complete boycott of Air Bagan, a Burmese airline with close ties to the Burmese military regime, as well as other businesses that support and sustain the military dictatorship in Burma.

A protest demonstration was conducted in front of Air Bagan’s Chiang Mai office early in the afternoon. Almost immediately after the protest began, the staff of Air Bagan locked the front door and shut off their lights. The office remained closed for the rest of the day […]

New Book About Burmese Political Prisoner to be Launched in Mae Sot, Chiang Mai

”No Easy Road: A Burmese Political Prisoner’s Story” by Paul Pickrem

On the eve of the November 7 elections in Burma, a new book that relates the life story of a former political prisoner will be published […]

Marching for Peace/Opposing the Elections in Burma on the International Day of Peace

Following successful gatherings in Mae Sot, The Best Friend Education Project will be holding the inaugural “Walk for Peace” in Chiang Mai on Tuesday 21 September 2010, the International Day of Peace. All members of the Burmese and international community are welcome to join […]