Speaking of protests

(picture found at www.time.com)

A peaceful but daring march was undertaken by monks , nuns and the people of Burma. After years under military dictatorship the march is on for change. Quietly challenging the regime, that killed hundreds last time they marched, the people want change.

Unfortunatly only hours ago, violence between police and protesters began, "They are not humans. We were praying peacefully and they beat us. They beat the monks, even the old ones." An 80-year-old monk stood with the student, bleeding from a baton gash on his shaven head.

Police have locked down parts of the city, and are using tear gas and other weapons to deter peaceful protest.

How do i support the people of burma?

Sign the petition to support the citizens of Burma, in asking the president of China, to not display violence in reaction to the protests and to listen to the people.

Go here to sign your support

Protest

Very often people object that nonviolence seems to imply passive acceptance of injustice and evil and therefore that it is a kind of cooperation with evil. Not at all. The genuine concept of nonviolence implies not only active and effective resistance to evil but in fact a more effective resistance... But the resistance which is taught in the Gospel is aimed not at the evil-doer but at evil in its source.

- Thomas Merton
from Passion For Peace

Sweatshops

Sweat shops in Australia?? surely not?! but this article on ACTNOW.co.au, explains some shocking truths.

47% of outworkers work more than 12 hours a day.
73% of outworkers have one or more chronic injuries.
75% of clothing companies have most of their clothes made by outworkers.

Outworkers are mainly first generation migrant women who cant speak english well and are unaware of
laws surrounding employment. There are laws in Australia to prevent This type of labour, however this article
suggests those laws are hard to enforce.

Things are starting to turn around with public awareness and thus, pressure. Also the introduction of codes of practices
are sending a message to manufactures.

For more on this see the article (at the bottom are a list of references for more reading)