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Monks lead London's Burma protest | Monks lead London's Burma protest |
(40 minutes later) | |
Buddhist monks have led a march through central London in protest at the military repression in Burma. | Buddhist monks have led a march through central London in protest at the military repression in Burma. |
They were joined by up to 1,500 supporters, sporting red headbands in solidarity, chanting "Burma, free". | They were joined by up to 1,500 supporters, sporting red headbands in solidarity, chanting "Burma, free". |
The demonstrators headed to Trafalgar Square after tying the headbands to the gates of Downing Street. | The demonstrators headed to Trafalgar Square after tying the headbands to the gates of Downing Street. |
"The events in London are designed to show the people of Burma that we stand with them," said Myo Thein, of event organisers, the Burma Campaign UK. | "The events in London are designed to show the people of Burma that we stand with them," said Myo Thein, of event organisers, the Burma Campaign UK. |
"We also hope the protests will force the UK Government to do more to demand an end to the military crackdown and get the UN Security Council to act." | "We also hope the protests will force the UK Government to do more to demand an end to the military crackdown and get the UN Security Council to act." |
'We are watching' | |
A delegation of Burmese monks joined campaigners after meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier at Downing Street. | A delegation of Burmese monks joined campaigners after meeting Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier at Downing Street. |
The march set off from the Tate Britain gallery. As it reached Westminster Bridge, some monks threw flower petals into the Thames. | The march set off from the Tate Britain gallery. As it reached Westminster Bridge, some monks threw flower petals into the Thames. |
Gordon Brown spoke of his strong commitment to Burma | |
It then continued on its way towards Trafalgar Square, with protesters shouting "Burma, Burma, free, free". | It then continued on its way towards Trafalgar Square, with protesters shouting "Burma, Burma, free, free". |
The Trafalgar Square rally began shortly after 1230 BST with chanting by the Burmese monks. | The Trafalgar Square rally began shortly after 1230 BST with chanting by the Burmese monks. |
The chants were a message of love and kindness to everyone and also called for an end to the violence in Burma. | The chants were a message of love and kindness to everyone and also called for an end to the violence in Burma. |
Euro MP Lady Kinnock, who met Mr Brown this morning with the delegation of monks, addressed the crowds from a stage. | |
It is a human rights emergency that the world has chosen to forget for the last 20 years Irene KhanAmnesty International | |
She said: "We say to that junta in Burma we are still watching you, do not think our eyes will leave you for one second. We are watching you. | She said: "We say to that junta in Burma we are still watching you, do not think our eyes will leave you for one second. We are watching you. |
"We are telling the people of Burma that we will not ever waver from that solidarity with you that we are showing here today." | "We are telling the people of Burma that we will not ever waver from that solidarity with you that we are showing here today." |
Next up on the stage was Myo Thein, a former Burmese political prisoner, who held up his shackles. | |
He said Burma had been ignored by the international community for years." | |
Irene Khan, of Amnesty International, said: "Burma is not a human rights emergency of today, last week or last month. | |
"It is a human rights emergency that the world has chosen to forget for the last 20 years." | |
The rally finished with chanting from a group of Burmese monks. |