If you’re in Myanmar, welcome back to the internet. You are probably aware that since the military cut the connection, an uprising against the coup has formed on the streets of Yangon.
About 60,000 demonstrators gathered across different parts of the city and marched to Sule Pagoda. Cars honked, shop workers handed out bottled water and snacks, and the 1988 revolutionary song “ could be hear everywhere.
Signs included “fuck the coup”, “save Myanmar”, “free Aung San Suu Kyi” and even a cheeky “Biden send in the drones”, while people chanted “are we united? Yes we are”. They also chanted how the military’s duty was to protect, and not massacre them.
The military have had little presence so far in the Yangon demonstrations, though there have been police and roadblocks. Protestors have made a point of treating the police well, giving them drinks, snacks, face masks, cigarettes and flowers. “People’s police” is another chant that has done the rounds.
“We will protest until our lady (Aung San Suu Kyi) and our president have been released and reinstated,” Htet Thar, 28, told Myanmar Mix. “We know it’s dangerous, but we will continue to protest. We want our lady to be safe and we will protest every day.”=
Protestors have overwhelming support from the public – they are the public, young and old, of all backgrounds.
There have been no reports of violence in Yangon as of Sunday at 4.30pm. In Mawlamyine, about 100 motorcyclists took to the streets and doctors and students demonstrated in Mandalay. Other protests have been reported across the country.
Rumours that Aung Sang Suu Kyi was released last night sparked instant celebrations in the streets, but, like many other rumours swirling around, turned out to be false.
Another rumour that may well be one of the rare truths is that the internet will be cut out again. We will try to bring you updates when and where we can.
