EVEN THOUGH I’M FREE I AM NOT
by James Mackay
Though imprisoned they are everywhere with us. More than 2,100 political prisoners are currently incarcerated in the most horrendous of prison conditions in Burma’s notorious jails. Since the 1988 popular democracy movement inside Burma was crushed in a ruthless crackdown by the military regime, thousands of people have been arrested, tortured and given long prison sentences for their beliefs and political activities.
“Even Though I’m Free I Am Not” is a global documentary photography project about Burma's political prisoners. Traveling across the world to South East Asia, Australia, Japan, Europe, USA, Canada as well as into Burma itself, hundreds of Burma’s former political prisoners who have fled the country and are now forced to live in exile often as stateless people, will be photographed, coming together to raise awareness of the tragic plight of their colleagues still detained in jail.
This simple symbolic gesture of the palm being shown in the Buddhist Abhaya Mudhra with the name of a colleague currently suffering silently in prison written on it, becomes a combined act of silent protest, remembrance and fearlessness. Qualities instilled in all of Burma's political prisoners.
“Even Though I’m Free I Am Not” is a global documentary photography project about Burma's political prisoners. Traveling across the world to South East Asia, Australia, Japan, Europe, USA, Canada as well as into Burma itself, hundreds of Burma’s former political prisoners who have fled the country and are now forced to live in exile often as stateless people, will be photographed, coming together to raise awareness of the tragic plight of their colleagues still detained in jail.
This simple symbolic gesture of the palm being shown in the Buddhist Abhaya Mudhra with the name of a colleague currently suffering silently in prison written on it, becomes a combined act of silent protest, remembrance and fearlessness. Qualities instilled in all of Burma's political prisoners.
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170 Responses to “EVEN THOUGH I’M FREE I AM NOT”
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stop torture
Lizard Cage…
Supporting Free Burma and all the prisoners in Burma enduring miscarriage of justice.
In Silence we can hear your strong voice. From across so many miles we feel your aching pain- to set the truth ablaze!
Freedom, Peace and Respect are bases of Human Life and Evolution.
I am not free until they are free. I am not free even though I am free. Help us free!!!
Stay strong and keep fighting.
Greed, power and fear killls
Peace, love and empathy heels
Powerful images that tell a story of perseverance, hardship and courage.
“The only real freedom is freedom from fear.”
Best wishes ,my thoughts are with you
vive la liberté !
We are prisoners, as long as Burma’s people are in the prison of the Junta ! Free Burma ! Free Tibet too ! Compassion and lets stand up for FREEDOM !
I will continue to support the Burmese fight for freedom for as long as it takes!
I am free, you are free, we are all free!
An attack against one is an attack against all. There can be no lasting peace or happiness for any of us as long as our brothers and sisters continue to suffer
It’s about time the world united and stopped this unjust imprisonment of the Burmese people just because of their beliefs and speech out to the world about what is “Really” happening in Burma. I will support them all the way.
FREEDOM, STRENGTH AND LIGHT
No more injustice to this country, !Free Burma! FREE TIBET
Free Burma, Free Tibet. Restore peace.
Keep the free spirit high!
I am not free unless all are free.
FREE BURMA,
FREE ME!
My heart is with you. I am doing Tonglen for you and praying for your freedom!
Free the monks and Daw Aun Sung Su Kyi (hope I spelled that correctly). Their imprisonment is a moral outrage. The Junta must not use brutality to oppress the Burmese people any longer. All the people of Burma will prosper when the military is no longer in charge of the government.
When the fear of loneliness is looming,
then remember I am at your side.
Do not be afraid!
Peace, Freedom , Tolerance, Respect….
Marisha =^.^=
Thank you for doing this. I was in Myanmar during the protests and it shook me to my core. I pray that the country gets more attention to help bring it freedom.
Keeping this tragedy in light is what is needed. Hopefully then the powers that be will do something to bring justice to the people of Burma!!
I will pray for your freedom
Let’s hope things finally change.
what will it take to start a revolution? how much more suffering for the masses? how long the incarceration of the innocent? will nuclear or oil be the only answer?
Peace and Love for everybody
There are some ‘key countries’ in the neighbouring area, that could and should act more resolute as should we and our leaders! Burma is not in possession of nuclear arms (as far as I have heard). This should make it easier to put a pressure on the leaders of the country. However we know that politics is a dirty game with many hidden agendas, making world leaders more or less inclined to act. How can we, as individuals, support the Burmese people?
We support you and hope that you will rise up again..and again .. and again until truth prevails
even though we are not there to help, we are here thinking and supporting in whatever way we can…
Freedom
I hope your quest for freedom is realised soon! People all over the world are thinking of you!
Is there something anybody can do apart from showing indignation??? Please tell me, what can I do?
Every human is born free to live life free wherever, whoever he/she is..
This abhaya mudra gesture bears witness and overcomes the delusion of jealousy and transforms it into the wisdom of accomplishment. Jealousy is just a type of fear and so all these brave open-handed gestures of FEARLESSNESS are truly appropriate for Burma today. It is also the message of Suu Kyi. BE FREE!
Superb photography for freedom.
Free Burma!
peace and love
The symbolism of these people alone says it all! People worldwide in oppressed countries have a right to freedom and home as much as anyone else on this planet.
walk on
We, as individuals, cannot be truly free until all are free… we need to fight to end the immoral and illegal incarceration of innocents.
Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will”…comes to mind every time one reads stories on the Burmese struggle and Aung San Suu Kyi. May those in and out of prison always have the will to overcome
Peace and freedom
I work to support all those held whether in the Junta’s jails in Burma or in virtual slavery in US sweatshops or in Guantanamo, or by the effects of the past like the Generación 90s in Argentina and the work they’re doing now to document the dictatorship and prevent a second disappearance of Los Desaparacidos [The Disappeared] http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/ourdisappeared/film.html
walk on
You are in my heart and always in my prayers. Stay strong.
” Until we are all free, none will be free” I pray for all those whose freedom is not an option.
Walk on…. You all are in my heart always.
I am very moved by the photos and am thinking of the oppressed people of Burma, wishing that those who are imprisoned be freed. May the burmese government discover compassion within their hearts! May the abhaya mudra bring courage to those who need it.
thanks James,
beside increasing awareness. your work looks stunning!
The day of reckoning is coming for the dictators in this world. God will certainly free all of you in BURMA. My prayers are with you.
When Good Men sit in high offices and do nothings to stop such horrendous crimes in Burma the innocent people suffer. It is time for the world order to change its course and develop goodwill to end such crimes like what is taking place in Burmma, Guinnea, Congo, Sudan and many other countries in this world. If big brothers and Sisters in high office decides to end this nonsense around the world, dictators will sit upright and respect people’s choice and decision in governance.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
FREE BURMA !!!
I send all of you , warriors of free spirit on behalf of Peace and Dignity for all human beings my best wishes and support from a country far away where political prisoners, injustice and disguised dictatorship is our everyday life!!!
I had seen a documentary about the military regime which was aired on TV and was extremely shocked to see the torture on the monks and the citizens. It was an overwhelming sight! My prayers are with all of them, may peace and freedom prevail soon!
The military regime in Burma is one of the world’s most brutal regimes. When is there going to be a global effort to put an end to torture, rape, killing and displacement for which the Burmese generals are responsible?
Fabulous
Simple. Poignant.
Well done.
LIBERTE !
I hope the world now takes action over Burma
My heart for your fighting.i pray for your never end spirit.
………in this dark and closed space!
My prayers and those of millions of others are with you in your struggle. Keep strong!
Free,Kyaw Aye Naing
What a beautiful and simple gesture to acknowledge and support our fellow human beings wanting to live their lives in freedom and peace. What brave and selfless people to stand up for their cause - all of our cause. I am also Burmese and proud.
vivre sereinement libre en paix
boycott TOTAL petrol and oils, they are financing the junta.
Please wake up and change everything dose everyday
It’s tragic that human life is trumped by greed and corruption. Till they are free none of us can be at peace.
Do what’s right. How can imprisoning people for what they believe be sanctioned the the government of Burma and others out there?
We are with them! They shall never be forgotten. FREE THE LADY!!
My prayers and unconditional love are with you in your struggle. Keep strong, you are not alone with your struggle for human and legal freedom !
STOP CUTTING VOICES..
spaces for hire
No one can give you the air that’s your to breathe
“Someone told me about a man whose friend was in prison; and every evening he slept on the naked floor in order not to have any convenience that his loved one had not. who will sleep on the floor for us?… one day we all will be able to do so, and that will be the salvation.” Albert Camus
Power to the people of Burma! Global actions against its brutal regime needed!!
TRUTH AND FREEDOM WILL WIN IN THE END. X
freedom for everybody!
C’est abominable cette répression. Quelle barbarie.
It is intolerable to watch the injustice done to the people of Burma.
I wish Freedom and Peace for all
walk on. You are in my heart
Photos are powerful but are they enough?
what has become of this world when the only voice we have is never heard…
où est la liberté ?
Free Burma population, under an opprressive regime for too many years, we have the duty not to forget what’s happening now to our Burma brothers, use the power of our freedom to let the world know that we can’t stand oppression anymore!!!
Let them free!
Free, free set them free
…….Walk on
Our thoughts are with you! Don’t give up!
Our thirst for freedom is a sign that freedom shall come to pass. Our collective voices for change is only a reflection that change is amongst us. Burma and Tibet are already free. Our concept of time is what masks this truth. Believe you are free and freedom you shall have! <3 all
please for the compassion of all beings give freedom to BURMA
we believe in conscious compassion and universal love… the psychopaths of power must be healed or leave the planet… we are far more numerous than they! time is on OUR side
la libertà è un valore primario!
I’m with you, wholeheartedly
I wish freedom and Peace to people in Burma
Please spread the word about the situation of the Burmese to everyone you know; I believe that only the sheer number of people protesting against this regime will break it. Politicians are necessary to make the decisions-use your democratic rights to influnce them to do something about the situation in Burma.
Let the prisoners in BURMA free.