Burmese Utica Residents Protest Violence in Myanmar

Burmese residents of Utica protested in Oneida Square over the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians in Myanmar amidst protests there over the country's military takeover of its government.

The group called on the US government and the United Nations to step in and take action.

WKTV's James Corrigan reports.

Of utica stood in protest today against the killing of innocent civilians in burma today.

Newschannel 2's james corrigan was there, and tells us why emotions were running high it was a cry for help for those halfway around the world risking their lives by doing the same thing.

(protester) burmese residents of utica came out to oneida square today to protest the violence that has gripped myanmar, also known as burma over the past two months.

That violence came to a head today as over 10innocd the southet asian natn as parof military retaliation tongoingprotests ofn febrry 1.

Among tse killed were multiple chdren rangingas .

None "m a mom.

So i fl like ty are killing mkids, mywn kids, i don't wantto see e violen began wh the buese military posed the untry's demraticallyelected leas peakoday on a gernment holiday calledrmed forces day honoring i militaryalmost an utica have families still in the country, risking their lives fighting for democracy.

(take cg zaw naing win) "my family's surviving in burma, and they are also on the street and marching and asking freedom and democracy in burma.

So i'm still worried about my family" (take cg paul schilling) "they all live in fear.

Sorry.

They live in fear every day.

They don't know what's going to happen.

But the people of burma are willing to die for their freedom."

(take cg james corrigan) now, the protesters behind me say their fight for justice does not reside solely in southeast asia.

It resides here in the united states and around the world as well.

"we need our governments and our president to take military action in burma.

That's why we are asking united nation to impose r2p section in burma."

R2p or right to protect is a united nations doctrine stating that the international community has a responsibility to intervene to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"the civilian has no weapons, but the military regime has weapons and killing us peacefully protects us and civilians."

Even amidst dark days, the burmese community of utica has remained united and committed to advocating for their people.

"they're still hopeful.

They're fighters, and they will fight until they have democracy."

A fight that they hope will travel from downtown utica all the way to washington dc and beyond.

James corrigan newschannel two > time now for a