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London: Burma Independence Day Peace Walk

Peter Marshall | 07.01.2008 15:54 | Social Struggles | World

Last Friday was the 60th anniversary of Burma gaining independence from Britain, but the Burmese had little to celebrate, being under the rule of a brutal military government. A peace march was held in London on Saturday 5 January to mark the continued suffering and struggle of the Burmese people for freedom. All pictures copyright.

Monks gather at Marble Arch
Monks gather at Marble Arch

We Stand with the Burmese People
We Stand with the Burmese People

Remember Those Who Died for Democracy
Remember Those Who Died for Democracy

Monk speaking at Trafalgar Square
Monk speaking at Trafalgar Square

Holding Lantern in Trafalgar Square
Holding Lantern in Trafalgar Square


Burma may have disappeared from the headlines it made for a few weeks with the killing of thousands of monks during the peace demonstrations this summer, but things haven't got better.

Led by Buddhist monks from various organisations, around 200 people left Marble Arch in London in a Peace Walk to Trafalgar Square. It was a simple demonstration, silent apart from the occasional bell and a little chanting by some of the monks, but one which would have been met by savage repression and beatings in Burma.

In London, the police behaved impeccably, providing a few officers to facilitate the march, with sufficient motorcycles to stop traffic, allowing an unhindered passage to Trafalgar Square.

There, monks held lanterns with lit candles as the crowd, now a little larger, listened to speeches about the situation in Burma.

All pictures copyright (C) 2007, Peter Marshall. More pictures of the event at  http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2008/01/jan.htm#burma

Peter Marshall
- e-mail: petermarshall@cix.co.uk
- Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk