Open Letter to the Ecumenical Community of Burma

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2 March 2021

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” - Amos 5:24

As sisters and brothers in Christ, we have watched with increasing alarm the violent crackdown by the military against peaceful protesters in Burma after the February 1 coup. We are particularly concerned by the fatal shooting of demonstrators, the illegal arrests of people in the middle of the night, and the disruption of information by blocking people's access to the internet.

Conversely, we are inspired by the courage of Burma's people throughout the country to continue to join massive demonstrations, to take part in the nightly "pots and pans" campaign, and to leave their shops and offices to participate in a general strike.

As people of faith, we believe that God sees and hears the injustice, the abuse of power, the denial of the dignity of life of God's people in Burma. While the military may believe they are all powerful and control the country today as they have for almost six decades, we believe, like the prophet Amos, that eventually "justice [will] roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." On that day, God and the people of Burma will rejoice and smile again.

In these dark times of uncertainty, however, we know that God is with you, and we know that we are with you as well as so many others throughout the world. We pray for your liberation, and we have begun to put our prayers into action by sending a letter to the consulate of your country in Hong Kong condemning the coup and the military's violent response against people peacefully expressing their views. Moreover, we stand ready to take further actions so that our prayers will bear fruit for your freedom.

In closing, we wish to state again that we are watching developments in your country; the world is watching, and God is watching. You are not alone in your quest for freedom, for justice, for dignity.

With Peace, Love, and Solidarity,

Rev. Phyllis Wong
Minister-in-charge

Hope Antone
Council Chairperson