Tenney Joins Burmese Marchers in Utica

The Burmese community of Utica marched from Oneida Square to Hotel Utica and back in solidarity with the millions in Myanmar living under a cloud of darkness. 

The southeast Asian nation suffered a military coup in February as its army overthrew its democratically elected government. Over 800 civilians have been killed since, including numerous children.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney joined the group following the march at Kopernik Park, and expressed her support for the thousands of Burmese refugees in Utica.

"They've been such a great community because they stand for peace and democracy," Tenney told NewsChannel 2. "And they've just been through perpetual turmoil."

Tenney and Texas Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro introduced a bipartisan resolution last month calling on the UN to impose an arms embargo against Myanmar. The Biden administration imposed new sanctions on Burmese military leaders last week, and
previously sanctioned companies supporting the military regime, actions which earned rare praise from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has long supported the Burmese cause. But Tenney called on the President to do more.

“We'd like to see President Biden work with us on this resolution and pass it into law," Tenney said. "And then work with his team at the UN Security Council to end the military coup and restore the democratic principles that people are seeking."