U2 asks fans to support Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi
BANGKOK, Thailand — As U2 kicks off its world tour the rock band is turning a spotlight on Myanmar's jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
On its Web site and on stage, U2 is asking fans to wear a Suu Kyi mask in support of the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner.
"Wear it to work or college. Wear it on the bus or the train. Wear it in the pub or at shops. And don't forget. Bring it to a U2 show," the band says on its official Web site.
A mask of Suu Kyi's smiling face can be downloaded and printed from www.u2.com and appears inside the program for the band's "360 degree" tour, which opened earlier this week in Barcelona.
Lead singer Bono paid tribute to Suu Kyi at a packed Barcelona stadium Tuesday night when he introduced U2's 2000 single, "Walk On," which was written for her.
"This next song is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma," Bono told the crowd, according to a statement received Friday from the Burma Campaign UK. The London-based human rights group helped coordinate a recent campaign that groups celebrities, musicians and dignitaries calling for Suu Kyi's release.
"Let's send her a message of love and support. Let us stand with her ... Put on your masks," Bono said, according to the statement, which said thousands in the audience were wearing or holding the masks.
Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, won Myanmar's last elections in 1990, but the ruling generals refused to hand over power. She has been under house arrest for nearly 14 of the past 20 years.
In May, Suu Kyi was arrested on charges of violating her house arrest in a case that has been globally criticized as a pretext to keep her behind bars. She faces five years in prison if convicted.
Recent comments
With meager talent U2 is the most self important, over-rated,...
Edward S. | July 4, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
- Afghan vows to keep out corruption 10:35 a.m.
- Anti-Taliban mayor killed in Pakistan 10:27 a.m.
- Dalai Lama visits town near Tibet 10:26 a.m.
- Some saw trouble ahead for Hasan 10:21 a.m.
- China pledges funds, aid to Africa 10:20 a.m.
- 40 dead in El Salvador flooding 10:19 a.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:10 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:09 a.m.
- UVU campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Utah Utes campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
207 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
137 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - House passes health care bill
134 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Thousands protest health bill
100 - Provo company innovating engines
98 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
87
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Execution won the game? How about playing a patsy vs. playing a TCU? It's...
The second team was in (skill players at least) after with about half of the...
I think the defensive coaches were at the beach. That was the worst defense...
help a child who does not ask for the help, but it is clearly seen that help...
Props to the Cougs, but where is this kind of effort and execution when it...
It is very sad that these hearty people who have spent their lives living off...
Yes, the trillions we've spent on war have made many U.S. war suppliers and...
Someone has to pay for it. There is voluntary charity, that provvided by...
Here's an interesting statistic I came upon recently: Evangelical Christians...
It was disgraceful. Hope that the ref and the 2 linesman get suspended as...

