Reports today that the protests have been contained and the monks sealed inside their monasteries by the junta, which was quick to use brutal force. If this is true, next come the reprisals. The world can’t look away — keep looking at Burma.

The junta is censoring emails and blogs, trying desperately to keep word from getting out. But we will learn eventually. At least nine dead, what else? Here’s one Burmese blogger that still seems to be posting now and then. (Blogs are perfect for this eyewitness stuff. History may remember this, eventually.)

The junta has a long history of violence — Christian Science Monitor explains it all for you.

The Buddhist Channel is closely following the goings-on in Burma. (And Myanmar has the second-most corrupt government in the world, according to Transparency International.)

And the Times lede says it all:

Government security forces in Myanmar cracked down for a second day today on nationwide protests, firing shots and tear gas, and raiding at least two Buddhist monasteries, where they beat and arrested dozens of monks, according to reports from the city of Yangon.

Update on the Banned Books in Prison: they might be un-banned due to popular demand. Or at least, steps are being taken in the proper direction.

Another update: Our friend Vishvapani on the protests as lovingkindness in action.

This email came yesterday from the U.S. Campaign for Burma:

Here’s What You Can Do to Support the Saffron Revolution

Dear Supporter,

Courageous people of Burma, under the leadership of Buddhist monks, began a national strike today. Over 200,000 people, monks, nuns, students, actors, journalists, doctors, housewives, elders, people from all walks of live join in the national strike in Rangoon today and many other cities through out the country.

The past few days the fervor in the country has built up immensely. I’m sure that many of heard about how on Saturday a group of monks were allowed to march past Aung San Suu Kyi’s house in Rangoon. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi came out from her house, reached near the gate and paid respect to the monks with tears. The monks stood in front of her house for 15 minute and made blessing of her. The civilians, who were accompanying with the monks, also shouted the slogan, “Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”.

We have also received recently disturbing news from inside sources that the military has ordered a brigade to shave their heads and dress up as monks to start inciting violence, so that the military will have an excuse to crackdown. We are seriously concerned about the risk of a violent crackdown, and now it is time to take our vigilance to a new level and act!

We are certain that China is they key to change inside Burma. They have paralyzed the UN Security Council so far, and they must accept a more responsible and multilateral role. Those staging the protests inside Burma are not just aware of China’s negative support in Burma, but very upset by it as well. On Saturday a large group of monks marched to the Chinese and Russian embassies and protested in front.

If you have ever cared about Burma, now is the time, at the crest of the largest public demonstrations in 20 years to join in and show your support.

We are working on bringing in as many world leaders, celebrities, news agencies on board with this story, but you need to play your part as well. It will not just be Americans working for this, but a global movement as well.

Starting this Wednesday (September 26th) we will begin a global week of ACTION. With an explosion of action we will make sure that everyone from world leaders to your next door neighbors have their eyes focused on Burma. Having this global focus will not only help in the protection of those demonstrating, but also make sure that the calls of the monks and civilians gets turned into international action.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

- Be a part of our 88,000 signatures campaign. I am asking people to collectively gather 88,000 signatures from around the world, calling on Chinese President Hu Jintao to compel Burma towards valid national reconciliation. Sign the petition here online: Click Here

OH BUT WAIT… you don’t get off to so easy. Download the petition from our website and get hundreds and thousands of people to sign it. We’re going for 88,000. Download Petition Here

- Hold a Saffron Supporting Event.. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a major city or not, you can still organize an event. These can be a powerful tool to raise awareness in your home town, and millions of eyes on Burma is exactly what we need with the military on the verge of a violent crackdown. You can organize a march, candle light vigil, or get creative and do any sort of action that will work for you and your community. Global Events are occurring this next week and I want the US to be well represented. Sign up to hold an action in your town here: Click Here to Sign Up

- Donate to USCB: We are running at full steam and are in strong need of financial assistance. Click Here to Donate

- Create a YouTube video for the Republican presidential debates asking them what they will do to help Burma: youtube.com/debates

Thank you all for your work, and please let me hear from you on what you are doing- thelma@uscampaignforburma.org

- Thelma Young
Campaigns Coordinator

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma. Become a member of the United States Campaign for Burma today.

In a way global capitalism made this happen, if the protests in Burma were initially ignited by fuel oil prices — coupled with the common human need for democracy? I don’t think Bush and co. can claim much credit, but the U.S.’s longstanding support of global capitalism in all its brutal Walmart-enriching power certainly played a role. Is this a preview for Cuba or North Korea? Those countries are semi-insulated from the world marketplace, but so is Myanmar, and the internet and all our increased interconnections are bringing down walls. Could this be a preview for China twenty five years down the road? I think it was Orwell who wrote that if the people want to be free, they can simply do so, like a horse shaking off fleas. Or was it Jack London?…

Ah, oil! It enriches Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and Exxon-Mobil shareholders, and the breakneck development of China and many parts of the world, busily making cheap toys for our children, depends on its cheapness and availability. (I don’t mean to single out these countries as dictatorships necessarily, but rather as bete noires of the current U.S. junta regime administration, which is particularly oil-obsessed. We’re going to pay for the Iraq war with oil revenue, right Wolfy?)

- Philip Ryan, Webmaster

We were reminded that Jim Carrey has YouTubed more on Burma (video here) so we’ve posted the link here. Sorry for the oversight. Also see the U.S. Campaign for Burma site. Great to see Carrey and other celebs speaking out for a truly great cause, a cause we can all serve by not staying silent in the face of oppression and repression.

UPDATE: Up-to-the-minute account of happenings in Rangoon.

More on the so-called saffron revolution (even though Burmese monks’ robes look more like red.) Violence continues in the streets; the UK Telegraph reports on how Buddhism permeates Burmese life (and thus the people empower the monks); an editorial in the Bangkok Post wonders what Buddhists outside Burma can do.

There are videos all over YouTube and the web if you want a glimpse of what is happening. Certainly it is a frightening, exciting time. Are we witnessing Buddhism helping deliver a democracy in troubled and thoroughly undemocratic southeast Asia? Or just another act of violent repression from another dictatorship against another failed movement? Take a moment to think of the bravery of those involved in the protests. People have already died and many others risk death in the name of freedom — and Burmese bloggers struggle to get the news out to a watching world.

On another note, we got a note from a student at the art academy Gerrit Rietveldacademie in Amsterdam. They say they are inspired by Zen Buddhism and the drawing here (ink on paper by ilona) shows it. Visit their site and take a look.

- Philip Ryan, Webmaster

Bloggers: Getting odd comments without spam URLs? Read this.

The government has begun fighting back. Two monks and a civilian reported killed. Clubs, tear gas, shots into the crowd, and hundreds of arrests.

Update: More, worse.

Need a buzz of bliss? Check out Nichiren’s Coffeehouse for all your Nichiren needs. Actually, not all your needs: more about Nichiren here.

Have you heard about Survivor China? Neither had we, but fear not, The Worst Horse has it (and a lot more) covered!

China won’t get involved in the Myanmar madness, says Zhang Zhijun, “a vice minister of the party’s International Department.” (Historically China has been the junta’s only friend and biggest trading partner.) Reuters UK reports that China could play a big role in the crisis, but it’s not clear how. China doesn’t exactly have much of a reputation for dealing peacefully with pro-democracy protests, but the AP says Beijing’s trying to make the junta behave as part of the big hearts-and-minds push for the Olympics. Very exciting — maybe China’s need to be loved (and need for foreign currency) will force the Party’s hand in letting democracy happen in one of Big Red’s satellite states.

Meanwhile across the world, the Brits, bless ‘em, are calling for Aung San Suu Kyi to be restored to “her rightful place” — that is, free and leading the country that tried to vote her into power years ago.

- Philip Ryan, Webmaster