April 09, 2021

Media contact: Clara Thethtet Tunwin, Organizer: (612) 443 2593
M. Tu Aung, Organizer: (757) 769-9801

(Washington, DC, April 09, 2021) – On Saturday, April 10, 2021, over 1,000 multi-ethnic individuals and independent advocates will gather in Washington, DC to protest the ongoing military coup in Burma. Since the start of the coup on February 1, millions in both Burma and across the globe have gathered to rally for inclusive democracy and basic human rights- this protest is representative of the multi-ethnic population’s support of a more just and democratic future for Burma, and should serve as a reminder of the international community’s need to take strong and tangible actions on the current situation.

It is necessary for the U.S. and international community to act with urgency to prevent the further murder and arbitrary arrest of civilians. Burma’s ethnic and religious minorities are also in dire need of assistance, whose plight represents the need to recognize the experiences of people on the ground and adequately address the intense brutality the Burmese military has caused for the nation as a whole. We call upon President Biden to exercise immediate leadership to remedy these issues and continue already stated support for democracy and human rights in Burma.

“We still need the strongest possible action from the international community to immediately end the military coup, to stop oppressing the innocent people, to return the state power to the people, and to restore the democracy,” Said Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations.

We call for the maximum sanctioning of military-owned companies. While the Biden administration has put targeted sanctions in place, these do not truly reach the deep pockets of the military regime. U Soe Win has stated that the military is immune to sanctions- this is not true. The Burmese military is afraid of their assets being targeted. Sanctioning the Myanmar Economic Corporation, Myanmar Holdings Limited, and the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise will help to effectively mitigate financial support for the Burmese military and defend democratic norms for the people of Burma. The U.S. and the international community should and must not do anything to legitimize the coup or the junta that has taken over the country by coercion.

Download PDF.