Join us for the Olympic Torch's only US stop: Stand up for Burma!

Peace Walk Across Golden Gate Bridge

The Olympic torch in its journey has been met with thousands of challenging voices from people who resoundly disapprove of the ceremonies being held in a country with such a dark human rights record, including propping up Burma's military junta. In London and Paris thousands of people gathered in the streets creating many blockages to the torch's path.

Read news coverage of the protests here

On April 9th, this Wednesday, the Olympic torch will be making its only stop in the U.S., in San Francisco and we are strongly prepared for it. It is a crucial time, the world's focus will be there that day, as well as the Chinese government's attention. It is our turn to match the huge turnouts in London and Paris.

Burmese and Buddhist supporters will gather for a large march across the Golden Gate Bridge to declare that China must support peace in Burma. Led by Burmese monks and Buddhist clergy, including Jack Kornfield and other senior teacher, we will walk in peace to support the people of Burma. We call on China to reflect the peaceful values of the Olympics by: immediately halting arms supplies to Burma and demonstrating support for a comprehensive UN Security Council arms embargo on Burma.

The August 2008 Beijing Olympics are a key opportunity to draw attention to China's role in the suffering of the Burmese people. China is a major trading partner of the Burma's military regime, not only buying Burma's natural gas but as the largest single supplier of military goods to the junta. Furthermore, China has paralyzed any constructive UN Security Council action on Burma.

Even if you can't attend, you can still do something:

- Sign our online petition to pledge to not watch the Beijing Olympics and boycott Olympic sponsors, then get your friends to sign this as well. The more people who sign, the stronger the call to the Chinese government.

- Tell others about this event. Forward this email to friends in the area or if you use Facebook, you can easily tell your friends about it through our event page.

March Details:

This is a permitted walk. Parking is limited in bridge areas and we will have shuttles running from the SF side to Vista Point so that people will only have to walk one way. Wear red! The Bridge has strict rules. All signs must be hand held by one person. No sticks. Signs must be 3 feet by 2 feet at most. No musical instruments, banners, or flags. We can have these things before and after just not while on the bridge.

Schedule:


8:30 Park at Battery Park gravel (free) parking lot on the southeast side of the bridge at Lincoln St. Shuttles will be running across the bridge until 9:15am.

9:30 We will gather at North Vista Point on the Marin County side of the bridge in front of the flagpole. Parking here is free up to four hours, and there are public restrooms. This lot is accessible only from northbound US 101.

9:50 Move towards the Bridge.

10am Begin walking.

If you are eager to do more you can join fellow march participants who will go on to protest along the torch route - Click here to see the schedule.

Sponsored by the US Campaign for Burma (USCB), Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF), Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA), International Burmese Monks Organization Inc. (Sasana Moli), Burmese Youth Association (BYA), 8-8-08 for Burma, BFUU Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma.