Joanna Sugden
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
A “flash mob” for Burma will hit London tonight as campaigners urge commuters to remember victims of the cyclone and decades of human rights abuses in the country.
Fifty-three days after cyclone Nargis tore through Burma, a British human rights organisation is gathering crowds to watch a video, beamed onto Waterloo station, that highlights the plight of the victims trapped in the dictatorship.
The Burma Campaign UK will use slick advertising with celebrity endorsement to focus attention on the junta’s appalling human rights record, which it says led to thousands of deaths after the cyclone.
Johnny Chatterton, of the campaign said: “The crisis in Burma has been going on for decades. It comes as no surprise that the regime denied aid to the victims, they have routinely denied aid in the country.”
He added that tonight’s “flash mob”, a spontaneous gathering of people arranged via the internet, was hastily organised but would be high impact and include videos and posters, designed by ad giants Ogilvy.
The animated advert features the voice of actor and comedian Ricky Gervais who tells viewers “In Burma there are no fairy tale endings, because the government is a military dictatorship that tortures and kills people. Please use your freedom to gain theirs.”
A giant video of it will be projected onto Waterloo station in London at 9.45pm tonight, when it is dark enough for it to be seen.
The campaign’s slogan, “The real disaster in Burma is the government”, focuses on a character called Khin Mar a five-year-old girl victim of the junta’s apathy to the cyclone and abuse of human rights.
Mr Chatterton said: “If the Burmese regime cared about its people they wouldn’t leave storm victims to die, shoot at peaceful protestors and rape 5 year-old-girls, like Khin Mar.
“The regime in Burma turned a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe, even as victims were dying in the Irrawaddy Delta the Burmese army were continuing their atrocities in Eastern Burma, burning villages and raping women.”
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.