Will you wear a red shirt in support of Myanmar's protesters?
We had a call at work today from a Norwegian man who wanted to pass on this message:
In support of our incredibly brave friends in Burma: May all the people around the world wear a red shirt on Friday, September 28.
This message has been spreading by SMS across Phuket, but it’s also being passed on by bloggers, users of Facebook and MySpace, and anyone with access to the Internet. Tomorrow has apparently been declared red-shirt Friday.
Without access to a red shirt, I won’t be joining in with this display, but it’s interesting that this appears to have spread from one individual (who, I don’t know) in Norway, without the support of any major media. Why red was the chosen color I’m unsure, particularly as there was a red-shirt campaign in the US this year showing support for troops in Iraq.
I can’t decide whose benefit wearing a red shirt is really for.
I had given some serious thought to flying to Myanmar over the weekend if I could get a flight, but news such as this, from DPA, makes me questions whether I’d even be able to get near Rangon:
Escalating protests in the streets of Rangoon claimed an unknown number of casualties Thursday including two foreigners, both of whom were believed to be foreign photo-journalists.
Both foreigners were shot near the Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon. The Kyodo news agency of Japan has identified one of the foreign victims as a Japanese photo-journalist.
A Caucasian man was also shot and died as he attempted to pass through a police barrier, a Burmese photo-journalist who witnessed the shooting told DPA.
This from the NY Times today:
In response to the violence, the United Nations Security Council called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the crisis, but China blocked a Council resolution, backed by the United States and European nations, to condemn the government crackdown.
I don’t think there is much a red shirt can do now.
September 27th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
No, I don't think there is much a red shirt can do, either. It's kind of a feel-good, solidarity thing but it won't have any effect on policy.
I'm not even sure I'm 100% clear on the issues. Again… too much propaganda.
What's Thailand's position?
Peace,
~Chani
http://thailandgal.blogspot.com
September 27th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
red shirt? shouldnt it be a saffron robe?
if they haven't already shut up shop, i think any westerner trying to get into burma now with a camera slung over their shoulder is going to be viewed with even more suspicious orwellian glares than normal.
for anyone wanting to write about it, i think you'd be better off preempting the flow of exiles who are going to start pouring across the border into thailand very soon.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
[...] Related links 1. 9/28 Rally for a Free Burma at Main Green / USCB Petition / Email UN 2. Wear red shirts on friday – Anthropologists on the protests in Burma? 3. Will you wear a red shirt in support of Myanmar’s protesters? (interesting skeptical perspective) [...]
September 27th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Matt I must say I'm shocked by Your ignorance! Show some strength and courage for crying out loud. Borrow a red plastic bag from your neighbor or something to wear on Friday.
Saturday is Michaels Mass (Mikaeli or Mikkelsmess), but You obviously don't know anything about that either..
Soon I will also start to believe that You, Matt will make no difference to the world
- Be a participator, not only a consumer or commentator Matt!
September 27th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
How am I being ignorant by not wearing a red shirt, when I said myself that I have tried to find a way to actually get to Myanmar this weekend? What's wrong with you?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Matt – As I understand it both the BBC and CNN cannot get visas to get into Myanmar.
September 28th, 2007 at 6:20 am
Andrew, the BBC and CNN couldn't get visas into Myanmar before the protests. Non journalists could.
September 28th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
European pressure won't do it, American pressure won't do it, and a handful of westerners running around and getting themselves shot won't do it. Enough people in Myanmar have to get fed up, and say enough is enough, and take to the streets. The soldiers have to decide to stop killing their own people, and tell those corrupt pieces of crap strangling that country (generals) that their time is done. When that happens, and I really hope it's now, then the situation will change.
September 28th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Surely anything that generates interest in this is a good thing. I agree with Dave to an extent, enough people need to make a move before things will change. And even then many will get killed but surely not even this evil regime would be prepared to kill everyone. But as for outside pressure, I think Thailand and China hold the key there but neither is prepared to go against it's buddy.