Press release: Follow up.

[dhorne@xxxxxxxxxxx]

By David Horne

Campus Contact
Indiana Campaign for A Free Burma 
 
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana-- With posters stapled about the town, proclaiming 
INTERNATIONAL FREE BURMA ACTION DAY, the protest began.  During the 
three-hour protest in front of the local Pepsi plant at least 50 
supporters came to voice their disapproval of the American company's 
involvement with a military dictatorship in Burma.  The protest gained 
local press coverage with a color photo in the next days city paper.  The 
participants used the event to educate as well.  With flyers and 
newspaper articles they armed the passerbys with the truth.
 
The response was overwhelmingly positive.  Many drivers who were just 
passing through the busy intersection wanted to know more.  Traffic 
backed up as students stood by the cars to explain what was happening.  
Even a few of the Pepsi truck drivers gave some thumbs up to protestors.  
Some citizens would pull up beside the road to find out more.  A few 
hecklers drove by shouting and acting undignified, but this is to be 
expected with any protest.  The small amount of negative feeling only 
motivated the protestors more to educate and wipe out the ignorance that 
exists in the United States regarding the Burma problem.
 
Protest organizers have deemed October 27 a huge success at least in 
Bloomington.  Thankfully the weather was warm so the turnout was at its 
peak and community reception was at its best.  We passed around and 
signed a letter to the PepsiCo CEO to be sent out according to the goals 
of the Action Day.  Campaign for a Free Burma in Bloomington, Indiana 
would like to take this moment especially to thank all those who helped, 
from the Wisconsin crew whom we modeled our fliers and press release 
after, to Amnesty International and Community Labor Action group whom 
sent members to participate in the protest, and especially to all those 
who are still in Burma who are on the front line fighting for their very 
existence.  We commend all of you, the Freedom Fighters, who are not 
afraid to come out of your comfort zones and stand for what is right and 
noble.  From the letter writer to the politician, from the activist to 
the armed soldier, from the educator to the leaders; we declare 
International Free Burma Day a critical yet successful point in this 
movements history.