Article by Lyra McKee
(17, Headliners)
Pictures by Lyndsey McQuitty
(18, Headliners)
Following the military crackdown in Burma after pro-democracy rallies last week, Belfast members attended a demonstration in support of the country's imprisoned Buddhist monks.
Leading Irish charity, Trocaire and Amnesty International have called on the public to support the Burmese people after the recent military crackdown. Speaking at an international solidarity event on Saturday at Queen’s Bridge, Belfast, a spokeswomen for the charity urged the UK and Irish governments to put pressure on the Burmese junta.
Regional Manager Eithne McNulty scattered petals onto the River Lagan in a symbolic gesture to show the desire for reconciliation within Burma. “The event is not so much about getting a lot of people to show up, but about getting media coverage and getting the message out there,” she said. The Burmese government clamped down on the pro-democracy movement last week which sparked an international outcry.
MLA Carmel Hanna from the SDLP, said she was putting forward a motion to the Assembly on Monday calling on the UN to lobby the Burmese government.“We need to be calling on the United Nations Security Council to put pressure on countries which have a vested interest in Burma, especially on China, because they have the most influence there,” she added.
More than 100 people attended the demonstration.
Fore more info - Follow the link, to watch a video of the protest
http://lendyourvoice1.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post_11.html
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