San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Coup protesters show resolve
YANGON, Myanmar — Mass street demonstrations in Myanmar entered their second week Saturday, with neither protesters nor the military government they seek to unseat showing any signs of backing down from confrontations.
Protesters in Yangon, the country’s largest city, again congregated at Hleden intersection, a key crossroads from which groups fanned out to other points, including the embassies of the United States and China. They marched despite an order banning gatherings of five or more people.
The U.S., especially after President Biden announced sanctions against the military regime, is regarded as an ally in the protesters’ struggle against the Feb. 1 coup. China is detested as a supporter of the ruling generals.
Demonstrations also resumed in Myanmar’s secondbiggest city, Mandalay, with lawyers making up one large contingent.
The military ousted the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her government and prevented recently elected lawmakers from opening a new session of Parliament. Suu Kyi and other senior members of her government and party remain in detention.
The junta, led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said it was forced to act because Suu Kyi’s government failed to properly investigate allegations of fraud in last year’s election, which her National League for Democracy party won in a landslide. The election commission said there is no evidence to support the military’s claims.
Authorities have stepped up the arrests of politicians and activists, and in areas outside Yangon have become more aggressive in trying to break up protests. According to the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 326 people have been detained since the coup, of which 303 remain in custody.
There have been many reports over the past three nights of raids during a curfew in which security personnel have tried to seize people from their homes. In several cases, neighbors and others people have rushed to the scene in such numbers that security forces have abandoned their attempts to haul away their targets.
The authorities announced Saturday that they have issued arrest warrants for seven activists including Min Ko Naing, one of the student leaders involved in a failed 1988 uprising against a military dictator.
Detainees have included political leaders, government officials, civil servants, activists and student leaders. Medical personnel have been singled out because they initiated the civil disobedience campaign against the military takeover and remain in its vanguard.