To convey the international concern over last week's deadly crushing of monk-led protests in Myanmar (also known as Burma), a few dozen demonstrators converged in front of the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco to urge for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The gathering was a protest against the decades-long involvement of China in supporting the rule of the military regime in Myanmar.
"We are here to help stop the brutality that is going on in Burma and to get the message across to the Chinese government who has a very strong influence in Burma and is one of the main powers propping up the military dictatorship," said Nyunt Than, president of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance—a Bay Area organization established to bring democracy and freedom to the people of Burma.
Demonstrations in San Francisco were sparked after ten people died from gunshot wounds in Myanmar during pro-democracy marches led by monks in the main city—Yangon. The protests, which were reportedly said to be among the biggest in 20 years, attracted as many as 100,000 people who rose against decades of military rule and deepening poverty in Myanmar.
Nandi Kyawnin said that her family still lives in Burma, but she couldn't get in touch with them because the internet and phone communications through which images and reports of the crackdown slipped out of Burma to reach the rest of the world remained cut.
"I support a Boycott of the Beijing Olympics," Kyawnin said. "The Chinese government vetoes resolutions for Burma at the U.N. It gives weapons to the military regime ruling the country and does business with them. It does not give money to the people of Burma."
Although the protesters wanted to be heard, chanted slogans, held banners and meditated on the sidewalk, some in their orange and burgundy-red Buddhist robes, they were peaceful and the Chinese Consulate's visa office seemed to operate as usual. Falun Gong practitioners, known for their peaceful demeanor, were also at the Consulate presenting the public with information about their plight in China as the spiritual movement continues to suffer a more than eight-years-long persecution.
"There has been speculation that the Chinese government does not want to be seen involved in anything negative; they are very concerned about their image before the 2008 Olympics," said Lisa Elliott, who said that she is not affiliated with any particular organization.
"The Beijing Olympics could be a very strong international tool for ordinary people around the world to show or not show their support," said Elliott.
Meanwhile, according to news reports, the military junta in Myanmar descended on a few monasteries, and troops were stationed on street corners across Yangon making it impossible even for small crowds to assemble.
Myanmar, one of the poorest countries in Asia, was once the world's largest rice exporter. Burma is rich in oil, gas, gems, and timber, and has suffered from decades of isolation and control by the military junta.
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