Hollywood stars launch campaign for Suu Kyi

Borneo Bulletin May 2, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) - About 30 Hollywood celebrities will kick off a campaign Thursday to seek the release of Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and push for freedom in the military-ruled nation.
The 30-day campaign will see stars such as Will Ferrell, Ellen Page, Judd Apatow, Anjelica Huston, Jennifer Aniston and Rosanna Arquette appearing in video clips on the Internet highlighting human rights issues in Myanmar.


It is aimed at building a network of one million people to join the US Campaign for Burma, a group in the forefront of efforts to free 62-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient who has spent more than 12 of the past 18 years under house arrest.

"Every now and again, a single person or event captures the imagination and inspiration of the world," said popular American actor Ferrell in a video kicking off the campaign.

"This moment belongs to Burma (Myanmar), and to Aung San Suu Kyi. Please, honour her courage, honour your compassion and let this be the month you join an effort to change the world," said the 40-year-old actor.

The "vignettes" will be available through as many video web sites as possible, organisers of the campaign said.

"Just as the world came together 20 years ago to free Nelson Mandela and South Africa, we can do so again for Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma," said Jeremy Woodrum, co-founder of US Campaign for Burma.

"We've created 30 unique and creative video appeals, designed for the Web, with the goal of inspiring people to take action, once they learn what is happening in Burma," said Jack Healey, founder of Washington-based Human Rights Action Center, also involved in the campaign.

"American Pie" star Jason Biggs and actress Jenny Mollen appear in one video where they are on an apartment hunt in Los Angeles when suddenly the conversation shifts to Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.

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