Nine US senators back declaration of ‘solidarity’ with Thai protest movement

The U.S. Senate will weigh sending “a clear message of solidarity” with Thailand’s democracy movement under a resolution drafted yesterday by a group of nine senators.

In what would be the strongest sign of support from Washington for restoring democracy in its longtime treaty ally, the draft resolution cites the “repressive” response to recent protests to declare “solidarity with the people of Thailand in their quest for a democratically elected government.”  It says the use of state violence and repression against pro-democracy protesters threatens both nations’ 202-year relationship.

“Thailand’s reformers are not seeking a revolution. They are simply yearning for democratic changes to their country’s political system, for freedom of speech and assembly,” Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey said in a statement. “At a time when democracy is…