From Somalis To The Karen, Trump Removes Temporary Protected Status In Minnesota (Because That's What Racist Xenophobic Tyrants Do)

Listen. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali and Karen populations in the United States. Both sets of communities have fled their home countries of Somalia and Myanmar/Burma because of civil unrest and portions of these communities are here under Temporary Protected Status.

Out of the 20,000 Karen that have moved to MN, approximately 4,000 have protected status. 

Out of the roughly 87,000 Somalis in MN roughly 400 have protected status.

Now it's being removed and everyone is free to be deported (well...hopefully there will be legal challenges...)

Why are we removing TPS from these groups and others, which are ALL BROWN AND BLACK COUNTRIES BY THE WAY?

What is the path for those affected in the community to become legal citizens? As America do we give TPS but then decide to take it away and just unceremoniously deport people out of the country back to civil unrest?

Is that how this is going to work?

For a number to hit? To show how we won't be taken advantage of by these "foreigners"? That we are America first and to hell with everyone else except the people that can make the administration rich?

GIVE ME A MF BREAK. 

As an Immigrant, as a Naturalized Citizen, as an Asian American, I know where it comes from---it's all about prejudice and xenophobia. 

It's about keeping the White Elite and the Brown and Black people they designate to come with them--but who they won't hesitate to throw to the wolves--at the top of the food chain.

It's about the mindset that our country is being taken over by the "immigrants" and even more so, it's this underlying feeling that White America and those "glory days" are moving onward and those ideals will eventually die out--albeit it's a fight and will continue to be a fight.

And all of this--it's deplorable, despicable, and chisels away at what actually makes America a truly wonderful country. 

Best (Or Worst) "Burma: It Can't Wait" Video That Reminded Me Of Porn But Still Didn't Make Me Soil My Pants

Tila Tequila - Hot for Teacher



While the campaign itself didn't do so great as far as votes were concerned (I think they're still stuck around 52,000) you still have to give it up for what they were doing and the energy put in trying to get the word out, and while we all might have our own opinions about Tila Tequila - at least now there's over a million people who know where Burma is on a map.

Google and Supporting disaster relief in Myanmar

Online giant Google is helping assist cyclone victims and survivors in Myanmar and will be matching up to 1 million dollars through UNICEF and Direct Relief International. Go to there support page to participate in their matching gifts program for relief.

On a side note, while a matching program for 1 million dollars is a great start, and I don't know what Google is doing otherwise - it would be nice to see them reach that goal and then push it up to something larger - maybe something like $25 million.

Did Myanmar really need this?

I just wonder what's going to happen under the military regime - hopefully they'll at least be quicker to act than Bush did in New Orleans.

Cyclone death toll nears 4,000 in Myanmar, state radio says:

Almost 4,000 people were killed and nearly 3,000 others are unaccounted for after a devastating cyclone in Myanmar, a state radio station said Monday.

Foreign Minister Nyan Win told foreign diplomats at a briefing that the death toll could rise to more than 10,000, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was held behind closed doors.

Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the Southeast Asian country, also known as Burma, early Saturday with winds of up to 120 mph, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

Myanmar's ruling junta, which has spurned the international community for decades, appealed for aid on Monday. But the U.S. State Department said Myanmar's government had not granted permission for a Disaster Assistance Response Team into the country.

Rambo IV: Banned

I haven't seen the film but it is interesting that it seems to be making the news more and more - and now it's apparently been banned in Burma/Myanma and is being used as a focal point in some local talks against the government. Here are some links to some stories:

Stallone says 'Rambo' banned in Myanmar

Sylvester Stallone says his latest "Rambo" movie and its tagline are inspiring real-life opponents of Myanmar's ruling military junta -- and prompting a government backlash.

Myanmar expats raise Rambo battle-cry in Singapore

For some, it was elation at seeing somebody -- albeit a fictional Hollywood character -- taking it to the foot-soldiers of a military regime that has ruled with an iron fist for the last 46 years. For others, it was a painful but telling reminder of real life-and-death encounters. "Everything is almost -- 80 percent -- the same as what the movie showed," said 28-year-old Cinthy, a student who grew up in Karen State, where the mainly Christian people have been fighting for independence for 59 years.

Myanmar nationals remember demo victims with 'Rambo' screening

"Just like Rambo is in the movie, Burma is waiting for a hero or someone to lead the revolution," said engineer Maung Zaw, one of the Myanmar nationals who attended. Another audience member, Thu Yein, said the film showed "what is really happening" in Myanmar.

Myanmar frees 8,500+ prisoners, but still denies true democracy

While it's a start towards something that looks a little better - even if just a little - the Myanmar junta are still denying Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy a place in the new government reform plans, even as they free thousands of prisoners.

The Associated Press

Myanmar's military government has granted amnesty to 8,585 prisoners as a gesture to the United Nations and to celebrate progress on its long-awaited constitution, state media said Tuesday. It was unclear, however, if any of the prisoners released were among those detained when the junta cracked down on anti-government protests in September, sparking global outrage and a flurry of visits by U.N. officials. A dozen political prisoners were among those released, but none of them was detained in connection with the recent protests, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for the opposition National League for Democracy.

BBC News

Burma's military government has said there is no role for the opposition in the drafting of a new constitution. The announcement comes despite international pressure for the regime to open up the process of reform and engage with other parties. At a rare press conference, Burmese Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said the military-appointed reform panel did not need outside help.

At the same time, while still being put at arms length, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was given a special award for lifetime achievement in politics by the Political Studies Association (PSA) of the UK last week.

Here's more coverage on the emerging political situation:

• Myanmar rejects calls to include Suu Kyi in reforms
• Myanmar to Restrict Drafting Constitution
• Myanmar back on a roadmap to nowhere

30 artists for Burma

This is pretty cool. Apparently thirty artists have signed a letter which has condemned the violence in the Burma/Myanmar region and supports the release of the National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Among those who have signed the letter: novelists Michael Ondaatje - The English Patient, Maxine Hong Kingston - The Woman Warrior, Amitav Ghosh - The Glass Palace, Le Ly Hayslip - When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, as well as poet Bamaw Nyo New.

U.S. ambassador Shari Villarosa meets with Myanmar junta official

From the International Herald Tribune:

The top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar sat down for a rare meeting with a representative of the military government Friday, a day after the junta announced a conditional offer to meet with the detained democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

The acting U.S. ambassador, Shari Villarosa, met with Deputy Foreign Minister Maung Myint in the remote jungle capital of Naypyidaw, according to a senior embassy official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

UN Envoy meets with Aung San Suu Kyi

From The Chosun Ilbo:

Diplomats say a senior U.N. envoy has met with Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon, where security forces have violently suppressed anti-government protests.

They say Ibrahim Gambari met Aung San Suu Kyi Sunday for a little more than an hour at a government-run guest house. The Nobel Peace laureate has been under house arrest for more than a decade and is rarely granted visitors. The two also met last year in Rangoon

Burma/Myanmar watch: 9 dead 11 wounded

While the current protests have been going on peacefully for the most part in the Burma/Myanmar region, they have recently turned violent with the government's use of force now with a reported 9 dead and 11 wounded from shots fired into the peaceful protests.

• Myanmar soldiers kill 9 anti-government protesters (Edmunton Sun)


• SNAPSHOT-Latest developments in Myanmar protests (Reuters)


• China Pleads for Calm in Myanmar (Associated Press)


• US freezes assets of 14 top Myanmar officials (Associated Press)
  

Burma/Myanmar watch: From 20,000 to 100,000 strong now

While the protesters are now 100,000 strong with nuns joining the protest as well, there is now a threat of force by the military junta. More news from the wire on the situation:

Myanmar junta's warnings ignored as 100,000 join new protest

Buddhist monks led 100,000 people through the streets of Myanmar's biggest city Tuesday, defying threats of a crackdown from the military junta facing the stiffest challenge to its rule in 20 years. In another day of public defiance against the generals and their iron grip on the country, some 30,000 monks dressed in saffron and red robes, followed by about 70,000 supporters, surrounded the Sule Pagoda and nearby city hall.

Anti-riot police move in as protests continue in Myanmar

In Myanmar, heavily armed anti-riot police have been sent in to Yangon where tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets again today.

Burma's Growing Dilemma

With as many as 100,000 people on the street in a holiday atmosphere and film stars joining the crowds, there were increasing signs Tuesday that a nervous Burmese government is nearing a crisis point after six weeks of protests against the repressive regime.

Buddhist Monk's challenge gains 20,000 strong

An update from the wire on the current protests:

ABOUT 20,000 people, half of them Buddhist monks, protested yesterday in an escalating show of dissent against Burma's military government.

The protest in the capital began with 5000 people led by monks, but within an hour the crowd had swelled to 20,000.

For the first time since they began daily protests last Tuesday, the monks urged the public to join.

"We are marching for the people," they chanted. "We want the people to join us."

It was by far the biggest protest in Rangoon since demonstrations broke out five weeks ago after a huge hike in fuel prices that left many unable to afford even a bus ride. They are now the most serious challenge to the junta in almost two decades.

Burma/Myanmar - The continued protests of Buddhist Monks, and the greeting of Aung San Suu Kyi

Hundreds of Buddhist Monks continue their successive protests and marched along flooded streets in Rangoon (Mizzima.com)

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, non-violent activist, and leader of the National League for Democracy - Aung San Suu Kyi - currently still under house arrest by the Burmese government - stepped outside to greet and show support for the Buddhist monks currently marching against the military junta and dictatorship in power.


Aung San Suu Kyi (from her biography on womeninworldshistory.com)

Put under house arrest again in 2003 by the government, Suu Kyi has not made a public appearance since then. With her showing, along with the growing support for the Buddhist monks, there is speculation that this latest challenge will be the most substantial to the government since General Ne Win stepped down, and the current military took hold of Burma (and subsequently renamed it to Myanmar).

From the UK Independent:

Burma's imprisoned democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, made a rare public appearance yesterday when thousands of Burmese monks, marching in protest against the military regime, passed the Rangoon property where she is under house arrest.

...

The alliance of Ms Suu Kyi and the Buddhist clergy could be crucial as the Burmese regime confronts its most sustained challenge in two decades.

"Aung San Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since 30 May 2003, when her convoy was attacked by [government-sponsored] thugs," said Mark Farmaner, of Burma Campaign UK. "By visiting her the monks are putting their spiritual authority behind the democracy movement. It is a strong message of unity."

From the Washington Post:

"Today is extraordinary. We walked past lay disciple Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house today. We are pleased and glad to see her looking fit and well," a 45-year old monk told about 200 people at Sule Pagoda in downtown Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city. "Daw" is an honorific used in referring to older women.

"She came out to the gate and paid obeisance to us and later waved at the crowd when we left," said the monk, who did not give his name.

Government, Human Rights, and the current protests by Buddhist Monks



Burmese Christians at a Hindu temple in New Delhi, India, conduct a prayer ceremony on Monday for the release of political prisoners in Burma who have been detained during protests for the reduction of fuel and commodity prices in Burma. Photo: Huai Pi - Mizzima

While the latest protests have been sparked due to the sharp increase in commodities and fuel from the government, they are a continuation of the almost twenty years of struggle between the nation's people and the current military government.

After the military regime took control in 1988, elections were held in 1990 to elect a new government and Prime Minister. While Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy won decisively, the military nullified the results, never allowing Suu Kyi to lead Burma as a democratic nation causing a national outcry. Since then, over the long periods of unrest, Burma (officially named the Union of Myanmar), while being the largest country in Southeast Asia geographically, is still one of the poorest countries in the region where the current military regime has had a long history of human rights abuses.

From Wikipedia:

Several human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have reported on human rights abuses by the military government.^[30] They have claimed that there is no independent judiciary in Myanmar. The military government restricts Internet access through software-based censorship that limits the material citizens can access on-line.^[31][32] Forced labour, human trafficking, and child labour are common.^[33] The military is also notorious for rampant use of sexual violence as an instrument of control, including systematic rapes and taking of sex slaves as porters for the military. A strong women's pro-democracy movement has formed in exile, largely along the Thai border and in Chang Mai. The Women's League of Burma is the leading women's civil society organization, an umbrella organization uniting many smaller women's ethnic organizations into a political force working for democracy and women's human rights in Burma. There is a growing international movement to defend women's human rights issues.^[34]

More links about the protests:

• Burma monks continue protests (UK's In the news)


• Burmese Urged To Back Boycotting Monks (Buddhist Channel)


• Emboldened Myanmar monks challenge junta rule (AFP)


• Thousands join Burma monks on protest march (icWales)