BADA

BADA Annual General Meeting Successfully Held;
Membership fees are due for 2010; Download Renewal Form or Renew Online

BADA 2010 Annual General Meeting was held on Jan 17, 2010 at the Union City Public library and fifty BADA members and supporters attended the meeting and conducted various business of this organization. Among other things, BADA membership fees were changed from one-time $5 to annual fees with various level of membership.

The new types of annual membership dues will be:

(1) $20 standard fee for new members and renewed membership; with a $10 fee for students, new immigrants, and refugees.
(2) $100 membership fees for Gold Circle members.
(3) $300 + membership for Ruby Circle members.
(4) If you can not afford any membership fees, you may request sponsorship by contacting badaonline@gmail.com.

The new membership structure is effective as of the January 17, 2010 AGM meeting; membership fees are due by the end of the month (January 31st) for existing members.

Please pay your 2010 membership dues online at www.badasf.org or send check(s) payable “BADA” to 1453 Marin Ave, Albany, CA 94706 along with the membership renewal form that you can download from our website.

Should you have questions, please feel free to contact Anil Verma at 510 485 3751.

Garage Sale fundraiser to Support Burma's Children Education was a success
More then $3000 were raised and proceeds going to refugee schools on Thai/Burma border.

Where: 2002 Barbara Drive, Palo Alto (near 101 and Embarcadero Rd./Oregon Expwy)

When: Saturday, October 10 from 9-3

Some of the items featured are: McCroskey Airflex Queen box spring, high end European women's clothing (new), books, framed Asian art, furniture, toys, kitchen and household items, Panasonic Microwave, TV, Burmese handcrafts, Yoga Studio Gift Certificate, Restaurant Sent Sove Gift Certificate, toys, Peets Coffee (first 50 shoppers) and homemade cookies.

Come support these most deserving young people and learn about Burma from members of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance (badasf.org)

Read more

The 10th anniversary event will be held on Saturday, Sept 26, 2009 at the Los Cerritos Community Center; Fremont, 3377 Alder Ave (Cross St. Fremont Blvd), in Fremont. Highly recommended by our prominent and usual speakers, this year, newest additions to the literary-speaker family in the US are invited. They are Write May Nyane, Writer Khett Mar and poet Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw. Please join in and enjoy our annual event.

Marking the Prominent Poet Saya Munthuwun 100th Birthday Anniversary, poems recitation by children and feature presentations will be included. Census 2010 T-Shirts will be distributed to all attendees free of charge. As usual, authentic Burmese dinner will be served.

Please join in and welcome our newest additions to the literary-speaker family in the US. Most importantly, have your evening filled with Burmese literature, culture, talks and friends at this once in a year event.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 5-10 pm (Contents will be in Burmese)
Los Cerritos Community Center, 3377 Alder Avenue (Cross Street Fremont Blvd), Fremont, CA 94536
(Speakers, Dinner, Free T-Shirt and special attribute to Saya Minthuwun 100th birthday)

Speakers, titles and short bios:

Parade for Burma At The Solano Stroll
Bay area Burma supporters to join the Solano Stroll Parade this year again and speared awareness about situation in Burma. A one mile long street celebration is attended by more than 100,000 annually.

35th Annual, 2009 Solano Stroll - Street Celebration; Sunday, September 13, 10am - 6pm; Solano Avenue in Berkeley & Albany, CA

Let's Parade for Burma at Solano Stroll to spread awareness about Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as our culture! Please join! Parade at 10AM with about 100 participating groups (Burmese will be one of them); it usually last about 1 1/2 hour. To gather at 9:00 a.m. SHARP at the corner of FRESNO AVENUE and SOLANO AVENUE, Berkeley CA 94707; Look for people with Burmese dresses and drums. Read more

Come support global call for immediate freedom of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and urge US government to do more in pressuring the Burma's thuggish regime including at the UN Security Council.

Monday, August 17, 12 noon to 1 pm
450 Golden Gate Avenue @ Larkin Street
San Francisco Federal Building / Speaker Pelosi Office
(Walking distance from Civic Center BART station)

Bring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi masks, posters, banners and signs.
Contact: 415 425 1714; 415 203 0541

Protest Chevron; Support global calls for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Freedom
Be united against Chevron to stop its crimes in Burma, Ecuador and even in our backyard in Richmond. Burma supporters, please join the chevron protest with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi masks, pictures, banners, signs to support her freedom.

Saturday, August 15th, 11:30am
Richmond BART, 16th St. & Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA
FESTIVAL RALLY – 11:30am; MARCH ON CHEVRON OIL REFINERY – 1:00pm; followed by NONVIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE More info click here

Burma Day and 8888, 21st Anniversary Commemoration

The city of Berkeley and San Francisco have declared August 8 as Annual Burma day and Berkeley would raise Burma flag annually on that day. This year again the city will be raising the Burma flag at the City Hall to honor the people of Burma. Besides, Bay Area activists community is planning other commemorative events. Please kindly join in to show your solidarity and support to the people of Burma and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who have been facing continue brutal oppression for more than four decades. Flyer can be downloaded here: Download Flyer More info and sponsoring organizations

1. City of Berkeley Annual Burma Day (Burma) flag raising to honor the people of Burma August 8, 1988 nation-wide uprising
Time: 7:30 am - 9 am (The event to begin at 8 am sharp; Flags to be raised at 8:08 am)
Place: Civic Center Park across Old Berkeley City Hall
( At the Corner of Allston Way & Martin Luther King Jr. Way)

2. 8888 Anniversary Buddhist Swan offering and Commemoration
Time: 10 am - 12 pm (Lunch will be served)
Place: Dhamma Aye Yake Burmese Buddhist Monastery
2523 23rd AVE, Oakland, CA 94606

3. 8888 Anniversary Day Ceremony
Time: 12 pm—3 pm
Place: Dhamma Aye Yake Burmese Buddhist Monastery
Contact: (510) 533-5962,(415)939-0051,(510)409-4517 ,(415)571-6401

Support Runners for Burma at this Sunday San Francisco Marathon (July 26)
Funds are to support Internally displaced refugees in Burma

20,000 runners will be participating in the San Francisco Marathon (26 miles) this Sunday and many of them are to promote various causes.

Organized by Burma Humanitarian Mission (BHM), 29 people are going to run representing Run For Burma awareness and fundraiser for internally displaced Refugees in Burma. Nine of that 29 runners will be representing BADA (We are joining in with BHM) that day. Some are running full marathon (26 miles) and some are doing half marathon (13 miles; mostly fist half through Golden Gate Bridge).

1. Here is how you can see/cheer the runners on the course: http://www.runsfm.com/volunteers/spectators.html (They run early and the fist half will finish starting at 7:30 am).

2. Come visit and meet with the runners for Burma at the Burma booth at the finish line --- near Embarcadero and Mission St. (Just north of Bay Bridge). The Burma booth will be open from 7:30 am until 1:00 pm that Sunday. So, come by as your schedule permits.

Here is the main website: http://www.runsfm.com/ (You can still register as few spots are still open)
Here is the full Marathon map: http://www.runsfm.com/maps/map_full.pdf
Here is the first half map: http://www.runsfm.com/maps/map_1sthalf.pdf

Burma needs you to call your representatives to get UNSC Act on Burma NOW
End Burma's System of Immunity, War Crimes and Genocide!!! Please call your representatives to get UN ACT now on Burma to prevent the regime from committing any more war crimes in Burma. Voices urging UN Security Council to act becoming louder and even US Representatives are calling for President OBAMA to seek an support at the UNSC for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Burmese regime’s war crimes, crimes against humanity and system of impunity. Related news and how to help here

To help free Daw Aung Suu Kyi also visit, www.64forSuu.org

The only real prison is fear and the only real freedom is freedom from fear - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi!

The regime can not touch the iron will of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; however, it can certainly destroy her physically by putting her in the deadly and notorious Insein Prison!! Please join these actions to help free her before it is too late:

1. June 20, A Celebration of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Birthday & Burma’s Women’s Day
DATE: Saturday, June20, 2009; TIME: 10 AM to 2:00 PM; LOCATION: Metta Nanda Vihara (Central)
4619 Central Ave. Fremont, Ca 94536 Download Flyer

2. July 26: Run For Burma at San Francisco Marathon to raise awareness about Burma as well as funds for internally displaced people: You can join the ‘Run for Burma’ team in the San Francisco marathon series on July 26th! There are a number of events: a full marathon, half marathon, progressive marathon and a 5k run/walk. The runners are training NOW! Join us. BADA Training Calendar. To Join BADA Run For Burma Team, please send an email to: mnicely@nicelydone.com.

3. Sign petition to UNSG: To: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: The military government must immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Khun Tun Oo and Min Ko Naing.The release of all political prisoners is the first and most important step towards freedom and democracy in Burma. We, the undersigned, call upon UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners by the SPDC. Sign Here

4. Sign Petition to UN and ASEAN: I call on the UN and ASEAN to take immediate action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, after she was detained in custody in Burma’s notorious Insein Jail.

Messages of concern from ASEAN and the UN have, in the past, been routinely ignored and defied by the Burmese regime. Words are not enough. The reputation of the UN and ASEAN is now at stake, I urge you to take firm action by sending an envoy immediately to deliver a strong message to the Burmese regime calling for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all Burma’s political prisoners. Sign Here

Stop the Burma's regime now! Take actions to help free her!
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been arrested and is facing military trial; She has been moved to Insein Prison!

The trial of the Nobel Peace laureate is scheduled to start Monday at a special court at Yangon's notorious Insein Prison, where she was arraigned and then held Thursday. The charge against her carries a sentence of up to five years and raises the possibility that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, 63, who has been reported to be in fragile health, will face lengthy incarceration under much harsher conditions at Insein, where more then a hundred political prisoners has died while in custody. The international community must stop the regime from continued and ongoing destruction of people’s beloved leader and democracy icon of Burma. News: Obama extends Burma sanctions

Say No to military regime greatest enabler, Chevron of California
Chevron out of Burma now; Stop fueling brutal dictatorship immediately!!

Protest at the Chevron Share Holders Meeting on WED, MAY 27, 2009, 7am to 10:30am

Chevron's pipeline is Burma's military lifeline as it provides much-needed $$$ to the regime to purchase arms from China to keep stranglehold on the people. Along with the scarce and much-needed GAS that belongs to the people, the pipeline take away the very livelihood of the people of Burma by effectively fueling the brutal dictatorship for decades.

Burma Freedom supporters and Bay Area climate justice, environmental justice, solidarity, antiwar, and human rights groups will join together to confront Chevron at their annual shareholder meeting at the gates of Chevron Corporate Headquarters (please come on time so we can greet the shareholders who arrive by 7:30am) to raise awareness about Chevron's involvement in Burma. Read More

9th Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit Was a Success (Sat., March 14)
To continue to raise the awareness about the brutal dictatorship and the people's suffering in Burma, and to discuss planning actions, this year again, BADA hold its ninth Annual Burma Human Rights Day event on Saturday March 14, 2009 at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists hall, 1924 Cedar (Cross St. Bonita) in Berkeley from 6 pm to 10 pm.

The event featured a Burmese style dinner and a Burma documentary film along with two outstanding Speakers on Burma: Min Zin and Zoya Phan. Read More Direction Download Flyer

BADA Annual General Meeting and Elections successfully held
New Board, EC and officers elected.
BADA Annual General Meeting and Election was held on Saturday Jan 17, 2008 at the Union City Public Library Meeting room. More then 50 members and supporters have attended the Annual meeting. The business of the AGM also included the election of the new Board of directors and the Executive Committee members. More information here.

San Francisco Bay Area 9th Annual Burmese Literary Talk held
San Francisco Bay Area continued its strong traditional of preserving Burmese tradition and literary and hold the 9th annual Burmese Literary Talk this year (again) with prominent writers, directors and singers. The talk was held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 FROM 4-10 PM at the Los Cerritos Community Center in Fremont (3377 Alder Ave, Fremont, CA 94536) Read More Download Flyers: PDF, MS Word, Color: PDF (Large File) Color PDF for Sponsors Direction MapQuest

Burma Vigil on the Anniversary of Saffron Revolution held
View Photo Gallery

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26, 6:00 – 8:00 pm; UNION SQUARE, SAN FRANCISCO;
301 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; Get directions Read More Flyers: MS Word PDF Burmese Press Release

A year ago, led by Buddhist monks, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Burma peacefully to cry out for an end to the long-standing military dictatorship there. Today, raising Buddhist flags and reciting prayers of love on the street is a crime punishable by beating and death. Many monks have been disrobed, beaten, humiliated, tortured, and killed, and there are reports of a massacre in the jungle. The military junta has raided monasteries and private homes in the middle of the night, dragging away those they suspect of involvement. Over 4,000 monks and thousands more protesters were arrested and the Burmese population is living in fear.

The people of Burma need our help. Despite countless military crackdowns over the past 20 years, their brave struggle for freedom continues. Please join us on the anniversary of Burma’s Saffron Revolution Day to appeal to the UN and the international community to take swift and effective measures to stop injustice, and establish Burmese democracy and rule of law. Let’s lift our voices for democracy in Burma as we commemorate the peaceful and heroic protests of last September.

Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: Concerns Growing Over her Health/Survival
After three weeks of food refusal, concerns growing over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's health/survival Read more; NLD Special Statement; BADA Statement

Parade for Burma At The Solano Stroll was a success
Bay area Burma supporters to join the Solano Stroll Parade this year again and speared awareness about situation in Burma. A one mile long street celebration is attended by more than 100,000 annually.

34th Annual, 2008 Solano Stroll - Street Celebration; Sunday, September 14, 10am - 6pm; Solano Avenue in Berkeley & Albany, CA

Let's Parade for Burma at Solano Stroll! Please join! Parade at 10AM with about 100 participating groups (Burmese will be one of them); it usually last about 1 1/2 hour. To gather at 9:00 a.m. SHARP at the corner of FRESNO AVENUE and SOLANO AVENUE, Berkeley CA 94707; Look for people with Burmese dresses and drums.

Solano Stroll is the East Bay’s largest street festival! The Solano Avenue Merchants Association invites you to come and see what makes Solano Avenue such a wonderful place. Participants and the event guests visit from everywhere throughout California; as well as neighboring states from Nevada to Maine. Every cuisine imaginable** Filling the streets with hundreds of thousands.

Also visit 75 Entertainers / 50 Food Booths / 120 Arts and Crafters and 150 Local Non-Profits. 26 Blocks of free fun! *** In 2002, the Stroll was honored by the Library of Congress as a National Local Legacy. *** Read more

UN Special Envoy Wasting Time
BADA Strongly supports Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's refusal to meet him

Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) today released a statement strongly endorsing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi' s refusal to meet with UN Special envoy as he is just wasting precious time and going along with regime's one-sided stand. In expressing such support, BADA has today released the following statement:

BADA's tatement of Support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Recent Actions
Date: August 26, 2008

Join Protest Rally at Chinese Consulate On the Eve of Olympic Closing
To Highlight China's Role/irresponsible policies in Enabling Burma's Brutal Dictatorship More info
Also read reports on China Arm Sales to Rights Abusers like Burma military

A protest rally in front of the Chinese Consulate on Aug 23 is being planned.
2-4 pm Saturday, August 23; Chinese Consulate; 1450 Laguna St, San Francisco, CA 94115.
Download Flyer

Among others, the following exhibit will be part of the actions:

Exhibit - China's Policy, Burma's Misery

Beijing Olympic through the eye of Local Burmese Artists on behalf of silenced Burmese people under the Burmese regime:

The exhibit will include collection of cartoons, photos and article of China's military, economic and diplomatic support to Burma Dictators! More Information

8888 20th Anniversary/Burma Day Successfully held
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the people of Burma’s August 8, 1988 popular uprising against Burma’s military regime, the city of San Francisco and Berkeley have declared: BURMA DAY: AUGUST 8. On August 8, 2008, a flag raising by the City of Berkeley at 8:08 am (Attended by vice mayor Maxell Anderson an city officials) and Burma Day Rally at San Francisco Union Square (attended by Supervisor Ammiano and a representative from Congresswoman Jacky Spare) were successfully held to mark this historic day:

Berkeley Flag Raising: Album Slideshow; San Francisco Burma Day Rally: Album; Slideshow; More Photos: Photos; ABC Coverage Flyer: MS Word; PDF Graphic/poster; Photos_Collection; 8888 News Collection; Read_more

San Francisco declares August 8 as Burma Day to honor 20th anniversary of 8888
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has passed the Burma Day Resolution by 8-3 vote margin at Today's meeting. The resolution commands the people of Burma and declares August 8 as Annual Burma Day to honor the 20th anniversary of 8888 people's uprising in Burma. Read More

Berkeley declared August 8, 2008 as Burma day, to raise Burma Flag annually on August 8 Read more

BADA works to help the Cyclone Victims in Burma
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To make tax deductible donation, click the button at the top right corner.
Alternatively, send checks made out to "BADA" to BADA, 1453 Marin Avenue, Albany, CA 94706. We will send you a receipt. 100% goes to Burma's cyclone victims! More information

Cyclone Relief effort already send $20,000 to Burma
BADA has already send $20,000 to Burma through International Burmese Monks Organizations Inc, the only and leading oversea Burmese monks network that has offices in 20 countries. Your donation has funded monasteries and leading grassroots that are doing great relief works in Burma. Please read this New York Times article, Monks Succeed in Cyclone Relief as Junta Falters to learn more about how they are leading the relief efforts in Burma.

Zarganar arrested in Burma
Zarganar, a popular Burmese comedian and social activist, has been heavily involved in volunteer disaster relief aid in the cyclone-damaged areas. An estimated 400 Burmese involved in the entertainment world joined together to do volunteer work in the delta. They confiscated the computer, video CDs of Than Shwe's daughter's wedding, Rambo 4 and Nargis plights, cash account book and 30 FECs, from his bed room. Read his June 2 interview.

Join May 9 Burma Rally, Prayer Vigil and Fundraiser for Cyclone Victims
When: Friday, May 9, 2008 4-8pm ** Rally 5pm; Speakers at 6pm; Vigil 7 pm
Where: San Francisco Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Avenue
Visuals: Burmese monks and Burma supporters, meditation, signs, music, prayer & collection for Burmese cyclone victims Contact: 510 220 1323; More details here

Burma Thanks you for April 9: Peace Walk and Torch Protests were a success
600+ Burma supporters joined the Peace Walk across Golden Gate Bride: (Click here for more info)

2008 Annual Burma Human Rights Day held
Come commemorate 8th annual event with speakers, film, music, food, discussion and Q&A; Download flyer MS Word; PDF; Direction and invite

Speaker1 Dr. Ashin Nayaka Testimony speeches by Ashin Nayaka ; biography

Speaker2 Chinese Dissident HARRY WU Book by Harry Wu; http://www.laogai.org/; biography

Performer Mary Win http://www.youtube.com/marywinmusic

Film Prayer of Peace: Relief & Resistance in Burma's War Zone; 28 mins; color http://frontfilms.com/

Video Saffron Revolution Highlights; 10 mins

More info
BADA website: www.badasf.org
Direction and invite

2008 BADA Annual General Meeting held
The AGM successfully held with the most number of supporters and members ever attended an AGM
You are cordially invited to attend the annual general meeting of The 2008 Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) that will be held according to the following program.

1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Saturday, January 26, 2008
Union City Library, 34007 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California 94587, Telephone (510) 745-1464

There will be reports from the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and Treasurers, and appointment of vacant Board and EC members. Read more

Join us in helping the people of Burma in their quest for Democracy and Freedom. If you are not a member yet, apply online here; it is quick and easy. More information about BADA can be found at www.badasf.org. Or contact us at 510 485 3751; info@badasf.org.

Media Advisory: BADA urges US Congress to take strong measures against foreign Oil Companies in Burma
Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) today praised the United States Congress for imposing stronger sanctions against Burma’s junta, but urged to take strong measures against the foreign oil companies operating in Burma. Read More

Media Advisory: BADA lauds US Congress for honoring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
The Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA) today praised the US House of Representatives for voting to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and urged the US Senate to quickly approve a similar measure Read more

Join January 11th, 60th Burma Independence Day Protest in front of Chinese Consulate (11:30 am - 1 pm)
January 4th, 2008 is the 60th anniversary of Burma’s Independence Day, and we will mark it with a protest in front of Chinese consulate. India has recently frozen its arms sales to Burma for six months. We need China to do more, and a lot more. The time is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The consulate office (where many visa applicants usually are) is closed between 12 pm to 1 pm; but it opens some days when there are many applicants. Beginning at 11:30 and ending at 1:00 will cover it in either case. And many who work in the City will be able to join us at lunch time.

When: Friday January 11, 2008; 11:30 am to 1:30 pm (Stand up protests and meditation protests)
Where: Consulate General-China; 1450 Laguna St; San Francisco, CA 94115; (415) 674-2900; Get directions
How: Activists to protest with song and visuals while Buddhist monks and lay persons do a sitting Vipassana meditation. There could be rain, so bring your umbrella and rain coat. Please wear red and bring signs and banners.
Why: China is the primary and biggest enabler of Burma's regime. We demand China reverse its irresponsible policies towards Burma. China must stop its military, diplomatic and economic support of the junta which is bringing ruin and death to Burma. We demand that China NOT veto UN measures designed to pressure the regime. Until China takes such strong and effective measures, we call upon the international community to highlight bringing shame and humiliation upon the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Contact: 510 220 1323; 415-806-7425; 510 795 0405