The march from Trafalgar Square to Battersea Park Peace Pagoda starter around 12 this after with a wide aray of banners and placards being waved by marchers bearing their solidarity with the monks and the people of Burma in their hour of need.
The march from Trafalgar Square to Battersea Park Peace Pagoda starter around 12 this after with a wide array of banners and placards being waved by marchers bearing their solidarity with the monks and the people of Burma in their hour of need.
The event itself was organised in the last minute, with only three days notice as the protests in Burma had taken such a turn on the 27th that it became necessary to under take this attack of support and solidarity as soon as possible, as such similar protests and marches have been on going across the globe in the last few days it was London's turn to show it supported the people against their dictatorial regime.
Even with such a short notice it has been reported by reliable sources that over 3,000 people showed up. This group had a large showing from London's Burmese community as well as a whole cross section of people representing London's diverse ethnic mix up. I even met a couple from Australia on holiday that had heard about events across Australia from friends and families and used to Internet to find out events in London so that they too could show their support for the Burmese cause.
The event itself was a very peaceful and well organised event, starting at Trafalgar Square and winding its way through the pavements of central London as there was insufficient time to give the police the required seven days notice to allow marching on the streets. None the less, there was compliance from motorists who were made to wait as the hordes of people crossed the roads as they understood the meaning behind the march---bar the few honks here and there.
As the crowd wound itself in to Battersea Park they lined up behind a row of monks who led them to the Peace Pagoda where the monks sat on the platform in front of the Pagoda and started with the Metta Sutra in Burmese with a speech by the head monk in Burmese. After this there were speeches in English to praise the bravery of the Monks and the people of Burma, followed by chanting in English.
All the while people were lighting candles which were handed out to them in a mark of respect to the Buddhist teachings as well as an act of solidarity with other protesters across the world who have been following the same action.
In the end it was a rather sombre yet up lighting event showing the people present the role that monks have played in this spectacular uprising in Burma and to show them that their message is being heard across the global and that we stand...or rather sit with them in their hour of need!
The event itself was organised in the last minute, with only three days notice as the protests in Burma had taken such a turn on the 27th that it became necessary to under take this attack of support and solidarity as soon as possible, as such similar protests and marches have been on going across the globe in the last few days it was London's turn to show it supported the people against their dictatorial regime.
Even with such a short notice it has been reported by reliable sources that over 3,000 people showed up. This group had a large showing from London's Burmese community as well as a whole cross section of people representing London's diverse ethnic mix up. I even met a couple from Australia on holiday that had heard about events across Australia from friends and families and used to Internet to find out events in London so that they too could show their support for the Burmese cause.
The event itself was a very peaceful and well organised event, starting at Trafalgar Square and winding its way through the pavements of central London as there was insufficient time to give the police the required seven days notice to allow marching on the streets. None the less, there was compliance from motorists who were made to wait as the hordes of people crossed the roads as they understood the meaning behind the march---bar the few honks here and there.
As the crowd wound itself in to Battersea Park they lined up behind a row of monks who led them to the Peace Pagoda where the monks sat on the platform in front of the Pagoda and started with the Metta Sutra in Burmese with a speech by the head monk in Burmese. After this there were speeches in English to praise the bravery of the Monks and the people of Burma, followed by chanting in English.
All the while people were lighting candles which were handed out to them in a mark of respect to the Buddhist teachings as well as an act of solidarity with other protesters across the world who have been following the same action.
In the end it was a rather sombre yet up lighting event showing the people present the role that monks have played in this spectacular uprising in Burma and to show them that their message is being heard across the global and that we stand...or rather sit with them in their hour of need!
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