Take a STAND

Written by Fahamida Khanam
Edited by Chiyeung Lau

BTHSnews recently had the pleasure to attend an event hosted by STAND :The Brooklyn Tech Chapter. It is a chapter of the international nonprofit organization STAND which seeks to advocate and raise awareness about genocide that occurs throughout the world. This chapter within Brooklyn Tech provides students with the opportunity to educate themselves and others about genocide. Through advocating, educating, and fund raising, the students themselves are able to make a difference in the prevention of genocide. .

This chapter of STAND was created by Maham Naeem, a junior who wished to create a club that would be able to make a difference about such a prevalent issue. Many countries still face the issue of genocide to this day and one of the many countries that still face genocide is Burma. Burma is currently ruled by a military junta that has been in control for over 40 years. However this year the country is having an election and this election is one of the rare chances for the people of Burma to free from this military regime.

On March 17, 2010 the STAND chapter at BTHS hosted a event called “Free Burma” to promote awareness of the crucial upcoming election and the genocide going on in Burma. Two honorary guest speakers named Myint Soe and Moe Chan from the United Nations came to speak at this event. With them was also a documentary film maker/genocide prevention advocate who came to the event. The two speakers were advocates from Burma who are pushing for United Nations intervention in Burma and for the Obama administration to not recognize the elections in Burma if it is not authorized by the UN.

During the event, the documentary film maker played some of his clips that he recorded during the time he was there. His films showed the brutality of the military junta in Burma and the pain that the citizens had to endure in their fight for freedom. The guest speakers explained to the audience the importance of the elections in Burma this year and also the importance of the liberation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi is the the leader of National League for Democracy and it is the opposition party that challenges the military Junta of Burma. Aung San is currently under house arrest and has been under house arrest for many years.

The 2010 election in Burma is crucial because there is a chance that the people of Burma can free themselves from the rule of the military Junta and restore their democratic government. However many obstacles stand in the way. So this is why STAND is devoted to bringing change to the obstacles civilians face in Burma and other countries. At Tech, STAND is having fundraisers and events in order to gather money to send them overseas. STAND is also organizing petitions to go to the federal and state legislatures so leaders know that people want change.

STAND is making great strides and is raising awareness, the chapter has planned many upcoming events in the month of April. Watch out for these events and spread the word. If you wish to take part and take a stand for change then join as soon as possible. Be educated, educate others and make a difference. Join STAND: The Brooklyn Tech Chapter on Wednesdays in room 1E17.

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