Four years ago, a group of disgruntled monks in Myanmar, a small dictatorship in South Asia, decided that enough was enough. Ordinarily, Buddhist monks completely separate themselves from politics, especially within a repressive society run by a military leader’s iron fist. But every once in a while that separation from politics becomes untenable, and so began Myanmar’s ‘Saffron Revolution,’ named for the color of robe traditionally worn by Burmese monks.

But a revolution it did not become. The monks went on strike, carrying their alms can upside-down so as to defy any opportunity for the ruling military junta to buy off their discontent. They were joined by nuns, lay people, all those discontented by the closed society around them. Thousands marched in a sea of saffron robes in Yangon and Mandalay, with simultaneous protests reported in more than 20 other Myanmar cities. The climax of this quiet, dignified and defiant challenge to the rulers of Myanmar was a march to the gates of the home that held hostage Aung San Suu Kyi, an imprisoned democracy activist. Her political party, the National League for Democracy, had run in the 1990 elections, handily beating the ruling junta’s party. Dictators, being what they are, rarely concede defeat, and so they had put Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 of the last 20 years.

This week memorializes a somber anniversary. On Sept. 26, 2007, the Saffron Revolution was crushed. Monasteries were raided, monks beaten, hundreds taken away to unknown locations. Within days, dead, bloated bodies clad in saffron robes floated down rivers near major cities. Stories of torture were traded for rumors of disappearances. The defiant, brave monks who marched for democracy in Myanmar had been put down.

So what can you do about all this? If you’ve read this entire editorial, then that’s step one: informing yourself. Step two is about getting active. Student Anti-Genocide Coalition (STAND) does just this. We’re a group open to all students that plans events, fundraisers, petitions local political leaders, advocates for the marginalized, works locally with refugees and tries to break through the collegiate bubble of iPhones and ‘Jersey Shore’ to talk about the state of human rights in the world today. Thursday at 7 p.m. in Kittredge Auditorium, we’ll be discussing Myanmar as well as planning future advocacy efforts and events. Will you STAND with us?

Luke Lanciano

Chapter President

STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition

Published on September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm