8-8-88: Twenty years ago, Burmese citizens from all walks of life came together, calling for democracy in one voice. August 8, 1988, marked the beginning of a general strike that would reach an unprecedented scale. The demonstrations came to a stop only after the armed forces opened fire on the crowd, leaving thousands dead. Many more were later arrested.
8-8-08: Twenty years later, on the anniversary of the 8-8-88 uprising, Burmese people worldwide and their supporters come together to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of Burma’s ongoing struggle for freedom and to call for justice in Burma. San Francisco and Berkeley joined them by declaring August 8 Burma Day.
NEVER FORGET – 8-8-88
8-8-08 – NEVER GIVE UP
The two events listed below are part of a series scheduled
to take place in select cities worldwide on August 8. Please join us as we say,
“We shall never forget 8-8-88!”
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Morning |
Afternoon |
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Berkeley Burma Day Burmese Flag Raising |
San
Francisco Burma Day Rally Friday August 8, 2008, 4-7 PM Union Square, San Francisco 333 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94108 |
FLOWERS OF HOPE
Flower offering is a custom that accompanies Burmese prayers. On August 8, 2008, in a ceremony that transcends religion and culture, we’ll offer a freedom wreath, woven with flowers donated by you. Each flower is a quiet prayer for a budding life swept away. Each counts towards the revival of hope.
With this floral tribute, we mourn the innocent lives lost in the recent cyclone, acknowledge the sacrifice of the anonymous heroes of the Saffron Revolution of 2007 and the Student Uprising of 1988, and honor the strength of the survivors.
To donate flowers online, go to www.flowersofhope4burma.org. Your purchase will be marked as part of the Burma Day event, allowing the organizers to pick them up for inclusion in the rally. A portion of the proceeds will go towards International Burmese Monks Organization (www.sasanamoli.org) to support the victims of cyclone Nargis.
August 8, 6-9 PM