Thousands of Karen people from around the United States gathered at the Capitol in Washington DC on November 6 to discuss issues that have affected their people and other minorities in Southeast Asia, while also showing their gratitude to the United States for welcoming them into the country.
Terror and violence caused many ethnic minorities in Thailand and Myanmar to flee to refugee camps or migrate to the United States due to the oppressive Burmese army.
Kevin LaChapelle is the founder of PowerMentor, a group devoted to teaching youth leadership skills and helping humanitarian causes around the world.
“I believe it is critical that each ethnic group be granted their respective state and have fully autonomous self governance,” LaChapelle said.
The movement commenced in the morning with cultural dances, songs, speeches and discussions filling up the time until the midafternoon.
Shwe Tin, 18, who currently resides in North Carolina, was born in Thailand and attended the movement in DC.
“We need freedom in Burma and we want our people to be safe in Burma,” Tin said.
Chapel Hill High School sophomore, Sarmuna Wei, moved to the United States after living in the Tham Hin refugee camp in Thailand.
Wei headed to DC on November 4 and attended to help out the movement with the goal of 10,000 people attending.
“It was my sisters’ first time seeing their friends since they came to America, which was eleven years ago,” Wei said.
