Sending Panties and sap the power of Junta

Panty Power comes into play

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

October 26, 2007 - Women workers in Philippines today "attacked" the Burmese embassy in Makati by hurling panties in a demonstration against the junta's brutal crackdown on Burmese protesters in September.

The protest organized by Free Burma Coalition-Philippines and Alliance of Progressive Labor, had over 60 women activists on Friday pelting panties at the Burmese embassy condemning it for its brutality against its own people.

Burmese junta officials, are known to be highly superstitious and panties were deliberately thrown to condemn their actions, Jomar Bolo, spokesperson of the FBC, said.

"Some junta members believe that any contact with female undergarments - clean or dirty - will sap them of their power," Bolo told Mizzima.

Throwing panties at the Burmese Embassy is also to remind the junta of its brutal beating, killing in the crackdown last month on tens of thousands of peaceful protesters despite calls by the international community to exercise utmost restraint, the FBC said in its statement released today.

Marlene Sindayen, spokesperson of the Alliance of Progressive Labor, said, "Throwing women's underwear at the Burmese embassy is our way of telling the junta we want democracy in Burma now. Panties also symbolize women's liberation in Burma because the junta is also known for being the world's number one women rights abuser."

The protest called "Panty Power" joins activists' in several countries, including UK, Thailand, Australia and Singapore in sending panties to Burmese embassies.

The Lanna Action for Burma, which launched the "panties for peace" campaign, in its website encourages women to send their panties to the Burmese embassy saying, "This is your chance to use your 'Panty Power' to take away the power from the junta and support the people in Burma."

"You can post, deliver or fling your panties at the closest Burmese Embassy any day from today. Send early, send often!" added the group.