By Thomas Ngo
The world witnessed an amazing act in Burma last week. Thousands upon thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets, led by hundreds of Buddhist monks clad in orange robes.
Burma's ruling military junta crushed the protesters with brutal force, raided dozens of Buddhist monasteries and jailed untold numbers of monks.
Initially, images were brought to us by foreign correspondents, including a Japanese photographer who was shot and killed on video. As it became more dangerous for people to wield cameras, ordinary Burmese people risked their lives to capture images of the violent oppression.
While the state media in Burma reports that protesters had provoked the clashes and that only nine people were killed, the world knows better. We got our news from people armed with cell phones and blogs.
In the Information Age, a cell phone can be mightier than a gun.
Now that the government has shut down all cell phone and Internet access, the deluge of information has been reduced to a mere trickle.
What we know from independent reports that thousands were beaten and sent to detention centers and prisons in the jungle. Monks, the most revered figures in Burma, were locked up in their monasteries. There are photographs of monks who were bludgeoned to death.
One of the West's strongest voices against these atrocities has been President Bush. Unfortunately, our new round of economic sanctions against Burma's leaders will have little effect on helping the people of Burma.
The pressure point is China, which has vested economic interests throughout developing nations in Southeast Asia, including Burma. While many leaders have intensified talks with China and Burma, ordinary citizens of the free world should join the protests in solidarity with the Burmese people. Our opportunity to make an impact will be attending rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Thomas Ngo is Opinions and Online Editor of The Beacon.
