June 19, 2003 will mark the 58th birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burmese democracy movement. The champion of freedom and democracy—as leaders of free society rightfully name her— is unfree and detained. Sadly, champion of freedom will be deprived of freedom on her birthday. In honor of her noble spirit, brave actions, tireless struggle, painful sacrifices and empowering vision to bring freedom and democracy to Burma, we should and we must celebrate her birthday in most splendid and illustrious way possible. Also, in response to regime's atrocious crimes against humanity, we should and we must denounce the regime and condemn its action in strongest way possible.

Recent ambushed attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and crackdown on NLD clearly show that Burma's dictators can be brutal and inhumane beyond human imagination. In fact, those actions are nothing but desperate attempts from a decaying dictators. Regime's false allegation that possible dialogue is made impossible by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is utterly nonsense and is nothing but an act of digging their own graves.

With democratic values held tight and with absolute faith in our leader, democratic forces in New York will not go quiet as a sheep but will act as a lion so that those who represent evil regime will be haunted and driven away by and the street where the Ambassador's office of killer regime is located will be overwhelmed with our stentorian roar of truth and condemnation. In a similar fashion, people of the world especially people of Burma should actively and responsibly take a role and play a part in this concluding chapter of democracy movement. Indeed, their days are numbered and our ultimate triumph is an arm-length away.

On this special day of our leader's birthday, we—both domestic and abroad—should wear plain white shirts or blouses and women should wear flowers on their heads to symbolize her pure and noble spirit and to show our utmost honor and highest respect we hold dearly in our heart for her. Also, in the evening, we all should light up our candles and say our prayers for her well-being.

SPDC's actions to forcefully closed down her NLD offices and universities only point out to one thing: dictators are terribly terrified. Clearly, they are being haunted by a simple and non-violent yet powerful notion: we the people will bravely confront every unfair and unjust law. No doubt, our non-violent struggle led by our leader is making the violent people struggle and tremble.

However, our struggle is not without discipline. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had clearly said on May 28, 2003, two days before she and her convoys were attacked, "We must abide by truthful and just laws…our public has power…this power of the powerless is not for an individual or an organization…this power has to unleash in a morally responsible way for the good of the public and the attainment of democracy."

Therefore, standing firm behind our leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we like to urge people of Burma and the world to rise up to the values of freedom and democracy by dearly celebrating the birthday of our leader and unequivocally denouncing our common enemy of humanity—the dictators of Burma.

Thursday June 19, 2003 action will be in two parts:

I. Demonstration

When: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Where: Office of Burmese Consulate

10 E 77th Street

New York, NY 10021

II. Candle light vigil

When: 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Where: will be announced soon

Contact: (718)-639-5258 / (646)-643-8689

Spokespersons: Soe Moe & Moe Gyi

(917)-498-1756 / (646)-321-5311 / (646)-643-8689 / (718)-639-5258