Student organizers from ten universities across the United States have called on fellow students around the world to join in a 24 hour fast on October 18, the birthday of Burma’s long serving imprisoned student leader Min Ko Naing.

According to a statement signed by student organizers of the ten universities, the fast has been organized to highlight the students movement for democracy in Burma, which has been ruled by one of the world's brutal military dictators.

The statement also added: "October 18 is Min Ko Naing's birthday, and we urge you to refuse to eat on this day and hold a film show and other activities in order to draw attention to the student struggle in Burma".

Min Ko Naing who had been imprisoned since 1989 after organizing a nation wide uprising in attempt to over throw the Burma's military regime, is still held in solitary confinement by the government. Burmese students have been at the forefront of calling for change in Burma, and they have paid a heavy price.

The ten universities are: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Hartwick College, Columbia University, Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, Fordham University, University of Chicago, University of Maine and University of Illinois at Chicago.

In the meantime, United States Senators Mitch McConnell and Dianne Feinstein have called on their follow senators to urge the President George Bush to take Burma’s issue to the UN Security Council and to press action against the Burmese military regime at the Security Council. The US is to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council next month.