A couple of days I go I wrote how it was time to support the people of monks and people of Burma.
Well, today I was able to put my words into action as I marched through central London along with around an estimated crowd of 3,000 people.
Amazingly, we had excellent summery sunshine and it was a most peaceful and uplifting day. From the moment we set off from Trafalgar Square to the time we arrived at Battersea for a pratyer ceremony at the peace pagoda, it felt we were all part of something special, worthwhile and historic.
By voicing our support for the people and monks of Burma, we have made a statement that justice and freedom will ultimately prevail.
The pictures below are testimony to a wonderful day of protest, yet carried out in good spirits and peace. As one of the monks said at the prayer ceremony – conflict only ends when one side does not fight back. The monks and the ordinary people of Burma have refused to counter attack and this non-violence approach as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Martin Luther King will ultimately prevail.
Let us hope that there are no more casualties over the coming days. In the meantime, the people of Burma can rest assured that people in London and all over the world are behind them.
In the meantime, you can get a flavour of the day through these pictures:-
A Burmese baby “reading” a peace prayer in Trafalgar Square, London:-
Burmese and other monks walking in Battersea Park, a picture of calm, serenity and innocence:-
Monks preparing for the prayer ceremony at the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, London:-
Good for you for walking your talk Arvind.
There is something very moving about monks protesting. It is shocking in a way to see such peaceful men take such a strong stance!
Let’s hope things don’t get any worse.
Arvind
Couldn’t make it in the end. I really wish I did.
I hear there’s one next Saturday again. Are you going?
Kavit
I also joined the march and yes at the time I felt uplifted by the experience and positive that it might make a small impact. However, recent events inside Burma seem to suggest that the junta are getting things under control. The bbc today reported on their website that the streets of Rangoon seemed “almost back to normal”. Without the monks the people are too scared to protest. The news that the monks who protested have been arrested and may be sent to prison camps in the north of the country is very worrying. The channel 4 news tonight is speaking of the “dissolution of the monastries”. This would be a terrible thing. I don’t think the UK government are doing enough. In light of recent Chinese and Russian comments, a sustained co-operative attempt by other members of the UN security council and regional powers like Australia and Japan is necessary. On the march, I was heartened somewhat by the banners suggesting a boycott of the Bejing olympics. I think this is one way we could gain some leverage over China.