Protesters honour woman shot dead by cops
ANTI-COUP protesters in the country’s two largest cities paid tribute to the young woman who died after being shot by police during a rally against the military takeover.
An impromptu memorial created under an elevated roadway in Yangon yesterday attracted around 1,000 protesters.
A wreath of bright yellow flowers was hung beneath a photograph of Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, who was shot in the capital Naypyitaw on Feb 9, two days before her 20th birthday.
Her family announced her death on Friday.
She had been on life support in a hospital for more than a week with what doctors said was no chance of recovery.
Protesters at the memorial chanted and held up signs that read “End the dictatorship in Myanmar” and “You will be remembered Mya Thwet Thwet Khine”.
They also laid roses and rose petals on images of the woman.
Videos from the day she was shot show her sheltering from water cannons and suddenly dropping to the ground after a bullet penetrates the motorcycle helmet she is wearing.
“We will regard you as our martyr,” said one social media tribute to the young grocery store worker. “We will bring justice for your loss.”
A memorial has since appeared in the streets of Yangon, with residents laying flowers and messages to the victim.
Her sister Poh Poh told reporters on Friday: “Please all join this protest movement to be more successful. That’s all I want to say.”
US State Department spokesman Ned Price offered his government’s condolences.
In Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, a protest led by medical university students drew more than 1,000 people, many of whom also carried flowers and images of Mya Thwet Thwet Khine. — Agencies