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Crosscurrents

The key to San Francisco opens the heart of visiting Nobel Laureate

UK Department for International Development

At a time when Americans are increasingly preoccupied with our own upcoming elections, some of San Francisco’s expatriates recently had a chance to hear from a political fighter of their own.  Burmese opposition leader and Nobel prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi visited San Francisco at the end of last week.  

Suu Kyi, who spent fifteen years under house arrest for her political activities in Burma, received the Vaclav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent last Friday. On Saturday Mayor Ed Lee presented her with the keys to the city, and House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi presented her with an honorary doctorate from the University of San Francisco. Thousands of members of the San Francisco's Burmese community, turned out to hear her speak. KALW’s Laura Klivans attended the event, and brings back this audio postcard. Included are the voices of Suu Kyi, Lee, Pelosi, and Burmese activist Nyunt Than.

SUU KYI: "This is what I think is most precious about this city, that you're open hearted and open minded. We need both".

This piece was reported by Laura Klivans and produced by Artjoms Konohovs. 

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Crosscurrents San Francisco