Event: BURMA - Prayers and Protest

Peaceful protests on the streets of London in sympathy and in support of the people of Burma's peaceful resistance

While I undoubtedly wear my politics on my sleeve, I none the less try to maintain the editorial distance of an observer and not a participator, on this occasion however, forgive me if I call for action, as my heart bleeds for Burma.

Recent events in Burma can hardly have escaped the attention of most. Twenty years after they last stood up (August 1988), only to be mown down by their own government (estimated 3,000 unarmed demonstrators killed), the people of Burma have stood up again. This is a big moment, a moment that those who payed attention knew was bound to come sooner or later, but what now? What will come of it? What will come of the current marches, what become of the marchers? And if the killings go on and if all ends in failure, when again will people next have the courage to stand up? What can be done to support the brave people who have stood up? Big questions and we are so short of time. Whatever can be done, must be done now!

Over the weekend I joined Burmese political asylum seekers and students, friends of Burma and sympathisers and others who joined along the way for protests which emulating those of the peaceful protesters on the streets of Rangoon. Various elements came together in organising this gathering, from Amnesty, to the UK Burmese Democratic Movement Association to Burmese Budhist clergy in London, to university groups. After an initial gathering in Trafalgar, while some went on to the Embassy of Myanmar - to doubtful effect - and others went on to the Chinese and Indian embassies calling on these countries to excerpt some of the influence they hold over Burma, many made there way to the pagoda in Batasea park for a vigil presided over by the presense of Burmese monks here in London.

Just as the flames of the candles lit at this vigil lit neighbours candle after neigbours candle, so this gathering had been lit from a flame burning on the streets of Rangoon and which has been kept alive secretly and has revived after all these years. This is a flame though being extinguished even as I write. Monks rounded up, derobed, shipped into holding pens outside of the city, murdered monks in the river, fleeing protesters shot in the back, a Japanese journalist shot deat at close range, internet and mobile links with the world severed, the monetaries that were the focus of these peaceful demonstrations now deserted and blood stained.

While many of the burmese souls I encountered over the weekend had fled attacks on their families and the destruction of their homes, and still others had familly out on the streets of Rangoon in protest despite the danger, there was a singularly impressive lack of anger in the croud. This spirit of gentlness and non-violence in the Burmese resistance of the military junta has long captivated the world, personified as it is in the carismatic and so often silent leader of the democratic oposition Aung San Suu Kyi.

Photos: Top - prayers for Burma made at pagoda in Batersea Park. Middle - gathering presided over by Burmese Budhist monks in Batersea Park. Bottom - member of Democratic oposition who fled to the UK via Thailand after his home was destroyed and his life put in danger by the junta stakes out Westminster.

To Develop:

Lots of attention and anger focused on China for not intervening, but is this not a  question of people being quicker to lay blame at the door of China because of it's record? Should we not in fact, expect more of democratic India?

The role that media and new media and communications technology has played in making recent demonstrations possible and the deep concern we should feel for the safety of the Burmese people now that the Junta have shut down mobile and Internet communications systems blinding the world and closing whatever windows we had on the country and events.

A friend said to me recently something along the lines of will the country not fall into caos if the junta are pushed out. One of the tragic things about Burma however has always been the existance of a compelling oposition making its case not at all like so many regiems which while brutal more often than not are holding a coutnry together against the odds. Now though, after so long in confinment, is the opposition up to establishing government up to coherant leadership even if given the opportunity?


Education, visas, ban on studying abroad but easy to get out for work etc. Remitences. Inflation. Foreign currency. (Seperate article).



Stop the Killing in Burma Petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/u.php?cl=21778297

Amnesty Demo - Sat 6th Oct and ongoing:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/events_details.asp?ID=547

Burmese Democratic Movement Association - UK
http://www.bdmauk.org/index.html

Burmese Societies at SOAS:

SOAS Students for a Democratic Burma
Guy Craft: guy.craft@soas.ac.uk

Myanmar / Burma Society
Nicola Han: nicolajanehan@hotmail.com

US Campaign for Burma web page well layed out:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/aboutuscb/mission-structure.html

New Media

On Flicker:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=burma

http://blog.flickr.com/en/2007/09/25/burma-protests/

Blogs

News Links:
BurmaNet
http://www.burmanet.org/news/

Irrawaddy - Covering Burma and South East Asia
http://www.irrawaddy.org/

Mizzima - Specialising in Burma Related News and Multimedia
http://www.mizzima.com/

Velib - Two Wheel Revolution Rolls Into Paris

Has anybody else noticed all those grey bicycles in Paris? Visitors to Paris fashion week this month will see a whole new Paris look - shiny, a chic grey, and with only two wheels, it is sure to impress?!




On a recent trip to Paris I was surprised and intrigued by all the identical grey bicycles that seemed to have taken over the city. It was only when I came upon a nest of these bicycles on a street corner that I realised they were in fact self-service rental bikes!

Bertrand Delanoë, the city’s mayor, and his green-minded gang are delighted with the initial popularity of these bicycles - "Freedom Bikes" or "Velib". Indeed, the scheme has caught the attention of many, including some who hope Paris may become a model for other major cities. Among those who have taken a keen interest in the project is Mr. Ken Livingston, Mayor of London who felt compelled to cross the channel so as he might witness the Velib phenomenon for him self (I only hope he took the train!). London has won a bit of socialist oil thanks to Chavez cozying up with Ken, we have won the Olympics, might we now get bicycles? With the Olympic rivalry now settled could we see London following the example of Paris's socialist administration? Could self service bikes be coming to a street near you!

The Parisian Velib system is run by J C Decaux, one of the worlds leading advertisers and the company responsible for most of the street furniture you ever used, things like bus stops etc. This makes Velib a whole different kettle of fish from the idealist dutch bike sharing schemes of the sixties etc. since J C Decaux will bring the the ruthlesness of self interest to bear on the legistical issues which are the practical upshot of this socialist dream. Interestingly, as the latest in street furniture, bicycles have become a point of intense competition for global advertising giants J C Decaux and major competitor Clear Channel (US company). Such competition has to be healthy for us, but ultimately it is how the deals are structured that will decide whether the schemes suceed or fail. The more risk is carried by municipal authorities, the more likely we are to see these giant advertising companies pocket cash while municipal governments foot the bill. The steeper the competition, the greater the temptation for companies to exagerate the achievable in a an attempt to better a rivals tendour. Success of existing schemes clearly demonstrates however, that Velib like schemes can really stand a chance.


Questions:

Structure of deals?

List of cities with similar schemes? Lyon etc.

List of cities developing such schemes? Vienna, Dublin etc.

How do such schemes impact on bicycle businesses? Do they risk putting pressure on bicycle shops, and bicyle hire and repair shops? Or is it a different market meaning that canibalisation will be minimal?

Links

Velib Web Site
http://www.velib.paris.fr/

Cycling.tv - City Bike Schemes
http://cycling.tv/extras/features/international-city-bike-schemes

Ken looks at radical new plans for cycling in London
http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=13253

Fellow Blogger: .everyday social democracy
http://everydaysocialdemocracy.blogspot.com/2007/08/campaign-to-bring-velib-to-paris.html



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Bike hire and repair in Paris by my friend. See website for details.

Allovelo






http://www.allovelo.com/boutique/index.html