Simon Billenness 
The airstrikes are getting more and more deadly This week, in one of its deadliest airstrikes, the Myanmar military killed at least 133 people, including women and children, in the north-western Sagaing region. According to a report by the BBC, residents uploaded video showing scenes of appalling carnage, with dismembered bodies lying on the ground. … Read more
Next week is one of the biggest days of the year for jewelry sales, Valentine’s Day. Let’s demand that big international jewelry retailers, such as Bulgari, stop buying Burmese gems that fund the Myanmar military. For decades, Myanmar’s military has committed numerous war crimes against ethnic minority communities as it has consolidated its control over … Read more
Yesterday, all across Myanmar, people took part in a “silent strike” to protest the second anniversary of the military coup. According to Myanmar Now, streets in the city of Yangon were deserted on Wednesday. Though the day was not a public holiday, little activity was seen in the commercial capital. There are reports of people … Read more
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 4785) by an overwhelming vote of 407 – 17. You did it! It is thanks in good part to your continual lobbying of your Members of Congress, that the House passed overwhelmingly the Uyghur Policy Act. Next, before this “lame duck” session ends, let’s … Read more
August 8th marks the beginning of the 1988 popular uprising against military rule. One of the four pro-democracy activists recently executed by the military, Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), was only 19 when he played a role in organizing protests and was imprisoned for the first time. Let’s mark this anniversary of 8/8/88 by … Read more
This week, we are mourning the four democracy activists – Kyaw Min Yu (Ko Jimmy), Phyo Zeyaw Thaw, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw – killed by the Myanmar military. In the wake of these murders, the U.S. Administration is signaling that “all options are on the table” to hold the military accountable. Let’s … Read more
Frankly, we need your financial support to continue operating through the rest of this year. Even though our email list of supporters has grown to nearly half a million, our base of donors has not increased proportionately. Approximately 300,000 of our supporters living in Myanmar are unable to donate and so we don’t ask them. … Read more
We have an honorable American tradition of our cities and states upholding human rights. Now is the time for us to demand that our taxpayer dollars don’t contribute to genocide. During the American Revolution, town meetings adopted resolutions calling for a boycott of British-made goods. The Boston Tea Party seized on the spirit of these resolutions through … Read more
You did it! The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Burma Act. Our work is not done. Now we turn our attention to the Senate. The following is from Mizzima. As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares for a historic vote this week on the bipartisan BURMA Act of 2021, a broad coalition of Myanmar … Read more
The House of Representatives will likely hold a floor vote on the Burma Act of 2021 (H.R. 5497) early next week. The likelihood is that the House will vote on the bill as early as Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Next week is your last chance to urge your House Member to vote in favor … Read more