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Canadian Friends of Burma get thousands of signatures at U2 Concerts

September 25, 2009

By Kevin

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Ottawa – A team of dedicated volunteers comprised of exiled Burmese dissidents and their Canadian supporters obtained thousands of signatures over a two-day campaign blitz during U2’s recent Toronto stopover.  The signatures are part of a postcard campaign Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) launched with the assistance of Rights and Democracy, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), and Canadian Labour Unions.  Signed postcards will be sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging Canada to continue to support the Burmese people with humanitarian aid and a binding UN Security Council resolution. 
The highlight of both the Wednesday and Thursday sell-out shows was when U2 frontman Bono performed “Walk On” the song he penned for Aung San Suu Kyi.   While Bono sang, volunteers from CFOB, Amnesty International and Bono’s NGO “One” marched on U2’s famous 360 degree stage.  Among the dedicated CFOB volunteers walking on stage wearing Suu Kyi masks in front of 62,000 fans was Aung Tin, Canada representative to Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. 
CFOB executive Director Tin Maung Htoo was delighted by U2’s kind invitation to CFOB to do outreach at the show and says “This was a tremendous opportunity for us.  We were able to spread the word about Burma to tens of thousands of people.  I look forward to the day when U2 performs in a free Burma for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”.


Kevin Mcleod is a  CFOB board member and volunteer

Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) founded in 1991 is an advocacy group working with Canadian civil society groups and policy makers to restore democracy and reestablish respect for human rights in Burma. PWRDF has been in partnership with CFOB since its formation.

For further information on CFOB:http://www.cfob.org/index.html

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