U Gambira of Saffron Revolution in Burma

U Gambira, the 29-year old leader of the All-Burma Monks' Alliance
that spearheaded nationwide protests in Burma in September, became a
fugitive following the deadly Sept. 26-27 crackdown on protesters in
Burma. He made important announcements to the world outside Burma
about the alliance's aims and in a climate of fear and arrests of pro-
democracy activists, became one of the new leaders of Burma's freedom
movement.

U Gambira led the life of a monk until summer 2007, dedicating his
life to religious study and working compassionately for the benefit of
all people. Following the SPDC/USDA/SAS attacks on monks in Pakkoku,
U Gambira became involved with what we now call the 'Saffron
Revolution'. His actions and those of his fellow monks brought the
world's attention to the protests in Burma, and gave enormous impetus
to the pro-democracy movement inside Burma and with the activist
movements around the world. The SPDC saw him and the rest of the
protest organisers (and participatants) as their enemy; He was
targeted by the SPDC and went into hiding, his family taken hostage
until he gave himself up.

U Gambira now languishes in a grim prison cell, and like other
protesters beaten and tortured by sadistic SPDC minions. He is
reported to be incarcerated at Insein prison and it seems likely that
he will be charged with treason and given what amounts to a life
sentence behind bars. It was these risks that U Gambira took on
himself just a few months ago; he knew the risk, but acted on his
conscience and his belief - a belief that non-violent protest and the
power of prayer against guns and tanks will eventually win the freedom
that the people of Burma so desperately need.

U Gambira acted not for personal gain, or to better himself, or out of
any wish for political power; he acted out of compassion and humility
and a great love for his fellow man, in a manner true to the
fundamental calling of the Sangha. He very deservedly receives our
nomination as 'Person of the Year 2007 in Burma.'

The Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks/ All Burma Sangha Coalition

Describing themselves as The Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks,
the author of a widely distributed leaflet gave the military
government until September 17 to issue an apology for its brutal
suppression of demonstrating monks in Pakkoku by police, soldiers and
pro-government paramilitary thugs. When the junta failed to apologize,
the alliance urged all Buddhist monks in the country to hold a "patam
nikkujjana kamma"--a boycott of alms from members of the military
regime and its supporters. The call prompted tens of thousands of
monks and civilians around Burma to stage the largest protest marches
against the military government in nearly 20 years, calling for better
living conditions for the people and national reconciliation.

When the protests began, no one knew the identity of the leaders of
the monks' alliance. However, the Burmese people heard from some of
the leaders of the underground network when they gave telephone
interviews to overseas radio stations. U Gambira, U Obhasa, U
Khemeinda and U Zakada are now household names. All went into hiding
when the crackdown began.

Unfortunately, in early November U Gambira was arrested at his hiding
place in Kyaukse in central Burma. His brother and father were taken
hostage in October in an exchange for U Gambira turning himself in.
However, his brother and father have yet to be freed. The 29-year-old
leading monk has been charged with treason by the Burmese junta,
according to his family. The punishment for treason is a life sentence
or death.

Source by BURMA DIGEST