Burmese monks and citizens are facing a violent government backlash to their recent peaceful demonstrations against the military dictatorship. Last Saturday, Oct. 6, 80 Oberlin students and residents marched around the campus and town to show their solidarity with the victims.

Since the military crackdown in Burma began, all phone lines and Internet connections are being monitored. The military regime has had control of the government since 1988 and the recent protests have been the first major action against the government since then. Oberlin’s student demonstration coincided with the International Day of Action for a Free Burma.

Oberlin Students for Peace in Burma, a recently formed and unofficial student group, led the protest in Tappan Square at noon. Wearing red headbands in symbolic reference to the Buddhist monks’ red robes and carrying signs made from cardboard they found in dumpsters, the demonstrators marched for 30 minutes through Wilder Bowl and North Quad before heading down Main Street to City Hall. The protest took place in silence in honor of those who died during their own protest march in Burma. After the event concluded, the protesters were encouraged to tie their red headbands to visible spots around campus to increase awareness of the country’s political situation.

Given that Oberlin is a notoriously politically active college, the OSPB was disappointed that fewer than three percent of students came out to show solidarity with the Burmese people.

“I don’t think people realize the gravity of the situation,” stated College first-year Kriti Godey, the founder and chair of Oberlin Students for Peace in Burma. “It’s really happening right now.” 

Yet the group viewed the protest with mixed feelings.  “The students who protested were really enthusiastic,” remarked Godey. To those who ignored the event she stated, “Living conditions are terrible and people should care.”

“It was mainly a symbolic gesture,” noted College first-year Clayton Kennedy, who attended the protest. “But being where we are you’d would think this is something people would get fired up about.”

Still, Kennedy was quick to point out that compared to the 50 protesters in Bangkok, Thailand and the 500 marchers in New York City, the demonstration was a success.

“We only started planning the march that Tuesday,” added Godey, emphasizing the march had a good turnout for such short notice.

The OSPB has been active around campus since news of government reprisals broke, posting graphic flyers depicting bloodied monks face down in water. The group also set up an information table during TGIF to communicate the reality of the situation in Burma.

Although not an official Oberlin College organization, the group has received a pledge of financial support from Oberlin’s Amnesty International chapter. Oberlin Shansi and Peace Community Church have additionally promised to help organize events and the church brought a contingency to the march.

Student Senate has also shown support by unanimously passing a resolution this past Sunday declaring full solidarity with the protesters in Burma. The resolution condemned the atrocities and urged international intervention.

On Tuesday, the OSPB set up a table outside of Wilder asking students to sign a petition to be sent to the Chevron Corporation. Currently, Chevron pays millions in oil and gas royalties to the Burmese government. The petition was a plea for Chevron to put these funds on hold until the last democratically elected leader of Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, voted into power in 1988, is installed as the leader of a legitimate Burmese state.

After three hours of advocacy, 254 Oberlin students, faculty and staff signed the petition.

To continue increasing campus awareness, the group intends to raise money to bring in a speaker on the history and culture of Burma, according to the OSPB website. 

Even further in the future, the group plans to network with other organizations across the U.S. and the globe.

“Next, we want to make the Chinese government notice that people aren’t very happy with them,” notes Godey.

According to activists, China is deeply invested in the natural resources of Burma. Over the next 30 years, they plan to acquire 6.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. China’s hunt for energy to sustain its massive population means that it will protect the governments that provide their resources from UN Security Council sanctions. Therefore, many believe that China is harboring the Burmese junta for their own benefit.

The Olympics will be held next summer in Beijing, and the OSPB, along with anti-genocide groups such as STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, wants to pressure the Chinese into action with a flood of bad press.

For information on the history of the conflict in Burma as well as how to get involved, visit spboberlin.googlepages.com. The group meets every Saturday at 5 p.m. in the third floor lounge of East.