We need your help! We are asking you to call your Senators TODAY to ask them to “co-sponsor” the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which denies hundreds of millions of dollars to Burma’s military regime.  It doesn’t take much time out of your day but makes a big difference for the people of Burma.

Background

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act was passed in 2003, denying hundreds of millions of dollars to Burma’s military dictatorship and its cronies by prohibiting the importation of Burmese products into the United States.

Besides preventing the financial enrichment of Than Shwe’s dictatorship, the ban on imports sends a strong signal that Americans care about human rights in Burma.  We are not alone in this effort. The European Union renewed their sanctions at the end of April, and some among Burma’s Asian neighbors are also taking a stronger stand.

Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, the elected leaders of Burma, have asked us to place sanctions on the military regime - stating strongly that doing business with Burma primarily benefits the military elite and not the people.

Congress has voted to renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act every previous year. We need them to do so again this year.

What We Are Asking You To Do

Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have sent a letter to all the other Senators asking them to add their name as “co-sponsors” of the legislation.  To become a co-sponsor, your Senator simply needs to inform Feinstein’s or McConnell’s office that they want their name added to the co-sponsorship list.  We are asking you to telephone your Senator to urge them to add their name as a co-sponsor.

How to Contact Your Senators’ Office

Call your Senator’s office in Washington, DC and ask to speak to the staff member that handles foreign affairs. If s/he is not there, leave a message and ask her/him to call you back. Call today and call every day until you get an answer!  Be respectful and polite, but don’t be shy.  They were elected to represent you.

Find your Senators and their contact info at www.senate.gov

To add their name as a cosponsor:

1) Democrats can contact Rich Harper in Senator Feinstein’s office: (202) 224 3841
2) Republicans can contact Lucy Bean, in Senator McConnell’s office: (202) 224 2541

What to Say:

- Tell the staff member that you would like your Senator to co-sponsor Senate Joint Resolution 41, the renewal of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act.

- Give her/him proof that this policy works. It cuts off hundreds of millions of dollars to the regime and prohibits western companies from doing business with Burma’s regime.

- Tell the staff member that the people of Burma, including Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, have called for pressure on Burma’s military regime, and we should support the calls of the people of Burma, not the military dictatorship.

- Mention that the military junta deserves pressure. The military regime has destroyed more than 3,200 villages. It has forcibly displaced more than half a million people inside Burma, as well as causing more than a million refugees to flee across the border to neighboring countries and has made no efforts to move toward democracy.

- Let her/him know it is important to send a strong signal to the regime that the US government will continue to keep American money out the hands of the junta.

- Point out that other countries are increasingly following the US lead on sanctioning the military junta. The E.U., Canada and Australia have all imposed sanctions on Burma.

- Finally ask the staff member to call you back when your Senator has made a decision.  Important: Leave your phone number!

- Let him/her know that his/her constituents care about Burma!

After your call, email me, Jennifer Quigley, at jennifer@uscampaignforburma.org to let me know what happened.