I can’t get to this as I will be only 24 hours into my SEITE 8 day residential school in Canterbury. If I wasn’t I would be at this event.

I was both appalled and disappointed with the words of one of my childhood Heroes, Seb Coe, last week when he was asked in interview why we were going to the Olympics held in a country that has some of the worse human rights violations occuring today. He said something along the lines of ‘we must remember that the only people who lose out if we were to boycott or not support are the athletes themselves who have been training year after year for this event.’

Seb – I think you need to realise that the millions that the Chinese government make from this event will not going to help people, or even Chinese athletes – it will be going to recruiting more soldiers, more arms, and be used to continue to oppress innocent people both within the without the borders of China.

It’s totally shocking that the world and the Olympic Committee said it expected to see an improvement in how China deals with people before the Olympics started to see that no such improvement has occured and that we are happy to turn a blind eye to it.

anyway … please read the following Burma update:

Dear friend

This Sunday protest against China’s support for the Burmese regime as the Olympic Torch comes to London:

Date: This Sunday – 6th April
Time: 12:30-1:30
Location: Opposite Downing Street, at junction of Whitehall and Richmond Terrace,
Map here
Nearest Tube: Westminster
See the location here

On Sunday the Burma Campaign UK and the Burmese community will be highlighting China’s continued support for Burma’s brutal regime by holding
a peaceful protest as the Olympic Torch comes to London.

Why China?
China arms the regime, supplying weapons, bullets and military vehicles to the brutal army.
China finances the regime , by signing deals in the oil, gas, hydro-electric and mining sectors china provides the regime with an economic lifeline.
China protects the regime by blocking UN Security Council action on Burma

By providing economic, political and logistical support China is helping to keep the brutal generals in power in Burma.

Join us this Sunday at 12:30. The torch only passes once so make sure you get there on time!
See the location here

All the best and thanks for your support.

Anna Roberts
The Burma Campaign UK