More than 100 members of the Myanmar community and supporters rallied outside Customs House on April 16 to protest airstrikes against civilians in Myanmar/Burma.
The protest, organised by the CRPH/NUG Support Group (Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw/National Unity Government Support Group) New South Wales, condemned the Myanmar dictatorship鈥檚 air attack on a village, in which around 170 people, including 20 children, were killed.
Rally chairperson Deborah Tin told supporters the 鈥渂rutal Myanmar regime鈥 is again 鈥渟howing its complete disregard for democracy and human life鈥. She said the international community 鈥渕ust come together and boycott the regime鈥 and the Australian government 鈥渕ust play a leading role鈥.
Rado Gatchalian, representing the Australian South East Asian Network, said:聽鈥淲e have the same heritage, as Filipino and Burmese communities鈥 and called on the Australian government to 鈥渢ake action鈥.
Speakers called on the federal government to: ban Australian companies鈥 involvement with the Myanmar regime, especially oil and gas corporations; impose trade sanctions on the dictatorship; support the Myanmar resistance fighters and recognise the National Unity Government; refer the Myanmar regime to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity; and end Australia鈥檚 involvement in military training and support to the Myanmar regime.
Representatives of other ethnic communities in Myanmar addressed the protest, expressing solidarity with the democratic struggle.
The chairperson led the chanting, which included: 鈥淒own with the dictatorship! Stop airstrikes on civilians!鈥, 鈥淢yanmar junta. War criminals!鈥, 鈥淯nited Nations. Take action! Recognise the NUG鈥, 鈥淎ustralia, act now!鈥 and 鈥淧eople鈥檚 power. We must win!鈥.