Burma: online petition and more

I haven't posted anything on Burma, partly because I've been preoccupied with other stuff, and partly because a whole lot of bloggers are already on the case, but I just got this email from a friend, along with a link to an online petition and more information:

I'm sure that you are aware of the situation that has arisen in Burma over recent days, it's been an interesting time in my house, as my wife is originally from Burma. Her family took flight from the military regime as long ago as 1966 and watched with increasing anguish over the years as the quality of life for friends and family that were left behind deteriorated.

Things last came to a head in 1988, when the people launched a virtually unarmed uprising which was brutally crushed, leaving over 3,000 people dead. Sadly the world blinked and moved on. In 1990 the military government held elections which were won by the National League for Democracy party headed by Aung San Suu Kyi who was already under house arrest. The government refused to recognise the result and freedom of movement has been denied to her and many of her followers ever since. By and large the plight of the elected leaders and the people has been ignored by the rest of the world. Forced child labour, eviction of whole communities from their land, mass detention without trial, corruption on a massive scale, torture and murder of its citizens are the cornerstones of this brutal dictatorship.

Last week that changed, the monks and the people raised their voices once more, hoping that this time the world would listen and support them. For now the regime appears to have taken back control in the only way they know how, by the bullets, beatings and locking people up. The people of Burma are on the back foot and need your voice to be raised with theirs.

It's time for the world to take notice!

You can sign the petition, find out about events in your country and generally get involved here.