Congressman Danny Davis and Reporters Without Borders Joins Mass Rally on Human Rights in Sri Lanka and Burma

Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) is scheduled to speak at the human rights rally organized by People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) and U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) on July 24, 2008. The rally will begin at 12:00pm, and members of congress and human rights representatives are scheduled to speak at 1:30pm. The location of the rally is Russell Senate Park, at the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Delaware Avenue.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) July 23, 2008 -- Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) is scheduled to speak at the human rights rally organized by People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) and U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB) on July 24, 2008. The rally will begin at 12:00pm, and members of congress and human rights representatives are scheduled to speak at 1:30pm. The location of the rally is Russell Senate Park, at the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Delaware Avenue.

Lucie Morillon, Director of the Washington Bureau at Reporters Without Borders is also scheduled to speak at the rally. Congressman Davis and Ms. Morillon join other scheduled speakers such as two Members of Congress, Nick Gaw - Executive Director of STAND, Chad Hazlett - Director of Civilian Protection at Genocide Intervention Network, leaders of the Tamil community and Burmese community, and a representative from Human Rights Action Center.

The schedule of the rally is as follows:

12:00pm: Rally participants congregate at Russell Senate Park

Hundreds of people from across the country are gathering to protest China's unconditional financial support of two notorious human rights violators: the militaries of Sri Lanka and Burma. The mass rally is also being held to commemorate two episodes of ethnic violence: the 25th anniversary of "Black July", an ethnic pogrom lead by the government of Sri Lanka that killed 3,000 Tamil civilians; and the 20th anniversary of the "8.8.88 Uprising" of Burma, in which 3,000 students, Buddhist monks and civilians were killed by the military during a peaceful demonstration on restoration of democracy.

1:30pm: Congressional officials and human rights representatives speak to rally participants

3:30pm: Vigil to commemorate the 25th anniversary of "Black July" in Sri Lanka

The rally will be followed by a vigil to remember the victims and honor the survivors of Black July. Survivors of Black July will speak about their experiences during the pogrom and testimonials of survivors will be read at the event.

Press is invited to attend the rally and vigil. To schedule interviews, please contact Brintha Jeyalingam at (845) 926-0588 or bjeyalingam@pearlaction.org.

contact: brintha jeyalingam

phone: (845) 926-0588

e-mail: bjeyalingam @ pearlaction.org

thelma young

thelma @ uscampaignforburma.org

(202) 234-8022

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