As many of you probably know, my mom and I attended the U2 concert at Soldier Field last week. U2 is near to my heart for several reasons: they have ROCKIN' music and on his off time, Bono is trying to save the world. Ok that sounds a little dramatic and a bit sarcastic, but I truly love how the band has chosen to use their fame to bring attention to injustices around the world. I left the concert feeling like a better person and thought I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention a few of the causes.
But what probably brought tears to my eyes the most was his dedication of "Beautiful Day" to Sen. Gabby Giffords. Her husband (Astronaut Mark Kelly) was even in attendance via satellite. It was, for lack of a better word, beautiful!!
But also touching was his tribute to Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her also speaking directly to U2 fans at the concert. Please read the following directly taken from www.U2.com
FREE BURMA!
www.burmacampaign.org.uk/
www.uscampaignforburma.org/
Burma, a country of 47 million people is ruled by fear. A military machine of 400,000 soldiers denies a whole nation its most basic rights. Aung San Suu Kyi, pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, symbolises the struggle of Burma's people to be free. Her Party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 82% of the seats in the 1990 election. The people of Burma overwhelmingly rejected military rule yet the military continues to refuse to transfer power to Burma's democratically elected leaders. Aung San Suu Kyi has spent many years under house arrest and prevented from seeing her family. She was released from house arrest in May 2002. Hundreds of her supporters are still detained, many suffering torture and in some cases death. Her message is a simple one - that only by fighting fear can you truly be free - a message Burma's military aims to silence. U2's Grammy winning song Walk On is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Burma Campaign
28 Charles Square
London N1 6HT
Tel: 44 20 7324 4710
email:info@burmacampaign.org.uk
And finally U2's One Campaign.
ONE
www.one.org
ONE is a campaign and advocacy organization backed by more than 2 million people who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
Cofounded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE works closely with policy experts, African leaders and anti-poverty activists from around the world to mobilize public opinion in support of tested and proven methods for tackling poverty. At ONE, we achieve change through advocacy and action. We hold world leaders to account for the commitments they've made to fight extreme poverty and we campaign for better development policies, more effective aid and trade reform. We also support greater democracy, accountability and transparency to ensure policies to beat poverty are implemented effectively.
At ONE, we believe the fight against poverty is not about charity, but about justice and equality.
To join us or learn more please visit One.org
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