We are a non profit organization dedicated to working towards a free and democratic Burma. Formed in 1996, National Burma Action Committee New York (NBACNY) has held monthly meetings at the Puffin Room in Lower Manhattan NY. Since that time, our organization has been involved in many demonstrations, protests, and rallies to voice our demand for freedom from the military regime that is in power in Burma.
Our country has been under the merciless rule of the military government since its coupe in 1962. It has been an ongoing struggle to fight the evil tyrants who had robbed the people of Burma of their rich natural resources. The primary goal of NBACNY is to bring down the military regime and to restore democracy in Burma. Although we were formed in 1996, our founding members have been actively contributing towards the Burma freedom cause in other countries prior to establishing here. We aim to educate the world about the country's oppressed citizens and to uncover the injustice practices of the government. Events have been held throughout the years to accomplish this.
Although opperations are based in New York, we have organized and taken part in events in other states in the Eastern region of United States. Demonstrations and rallies have been held in Virginia, Indiana, Ithaca NY, as well as in Washington D.C. Locally, our ongoing efforts include regular protests in front the Burmese Consulate office on East 77th Street of NYC, rallies and demonstrations in front of the United Nations, and annual candle light vigils at Ralph Bunche Park (opposite of the UN plaza) to commemorate the massacre of August 8, 1988. Our political agenda will not end until we have succeeded in the overthrowing of the current dictators in Burma.
NBACNY has also published and distributed a bi-monthly human rights newsletter called Human Rights International News. This editorial was to compile news events that pertained to violations of human rights around the world. Although concentrated on Burmese news and pro-democratic movement status for the freedom of Burma, efforts were also placed to research other countries' sufferings. We aimed to report all criminal governments spanning from events in Europe, Middle East, to those occuring in Indonesia and South America. At the current time, the publication of HRI news has been put on hold due to a temporary shift in the efforts of our organization towards other goals demanding immediacy.
We have had successful triumphs in the war against the military government. NBACNY was involved first hand in deterring and convincing the World Widlife Foundation to withdraw funding for wildlife conservation in Burma. Although it may seem that Burma would benefit from such a venture, we made the WWF aware of the consequences of their funding. We protested at the Bronx Zoo and then later convened with the foundation to express that the money they were to give to Burma would only go towards the personal leisures of the government. We informed them the crooks that are in power will only pocket what is supposed to be used towards wildlife conservation and may even use it to fund their weapons and drug ventures. These weapons will be used for the country, however, not to protect her people but rather to murder more.
At a hearing in New York City's Cityhall, we met with legislatures to testify against business ventures with Burma. We were successful once more to convince a ruling for New York City's economic saction against any business with Burma. This was vital since all business funds in our country goes towards the strengthening of the military regime and not for the country. NBACNY continually write letters adressing our cause to the legilatures of United States. We have received commendation of our efforts from former President Bill Clinton during his adminstration's governance. Our organization has also tried to contact United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan as well the current President George W. Bush. We are also petitioning for intervention from the United Nations in our situation in Burma.
Although the focus of the organization is for Burma's freedom and humane treatment of her people, our activities are not limited to political programs. We are a Burmese community group and we enthusiastically sponsor any events that may increase awareness of our rich culture. Our annual dine and dance is held to celebrate the Burmese News Year in April of each year, we have continued this tradition successfully for three consecutive years with each being increasingly bigger in attendance as well as celebrity. This has been marked as a unprecedented Burmese celebration in United States.
In continuing with our pride and importance for community and culture, we also put forth our efforts towards philanthropic charities and volunteership. We have provided crucial assistance to those fleeing the merciless hands of the military government. New Burmese who have escaped from the government's chains come to United States to seek refuge. We have helped them gain the protection that they require and have helped many obtain asylum status here. Organization members who can provide professional assistance such as medical advisement do so for those who need such attention. In concern for good health, blood pressure checks and other basic health education is provided by NBACNY. We have given assistance in job searches and advice on finding employment and ways and means to obtain proper eligibility to work for those who are seeking such help. Each year, during Thanksgiving, turkey dinners are made and given out to the homeless on the streets of NYC. We have also fundraised for donations towards exiled students along the Burma/Thai border.
Most recently, a photo display show was held in front of the United Nations Plaza to increase awareness of the rich Burmese culture, the many tribes that populate the nation, the abundant natural resources, and the robbers who have taken it all away. Recently, NBACNY has published a book that tells the sad story of losses of Burma and her people. Sad About Burma is a free publication that includes photos taken by professionals who have kindly contributed by allowing us to use them.
The launch of NBACNY's website is to supplement our dedicated work for democracy in Burma. It is an important vehicle to voice our cause and help us spread news of the progress towards justice in our country. We will continue to strive for our primary goal and hope to inspire others to join us in our fight against the military regime.