One month in Myanmar under military control

YANGON, Myanmar — The hopes of building a robust democracy in Myanmar were shattered when the powerful military toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party in a coup Feb. 1.

In the month since, the mass protests occurring each day are a sharp reminder of the long and bloody struggle for democracy in a country where the military ruled directly for more than five decades.

In clinging to power, the army used lethal force to quash a massive 1988 uprising and a 2007 revolt led by Buddhist monks. Even as it eased the reins — allowing civilian rule after Suu Kyi’s party won elections in 2015 — the military retained power through a constitution it drafted.

When the army blocked Parliament from convening

and detained Suu Kyi and others in her government the day of its takeover, it alleged the most recent election was tainted by fraud. The election commission that refuted those allegations and affirmed Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide was purged by the ruling junta.

The public at large also rejected the military’s assertion — and took to the streets. Medical workers spearheaded a Civil Disobedience Movement, whose calls for mass nonviolent protests were met across the country.

Even in smaller cities, crowds often in the tens of thousands defied the junta’s orders against large gatherings.

Those united in opposing the coup and wanting Suu Kyi released and restored to power came from varied walks of life.

Civil servants and workers at enterprises such as the state railway. Enthusiastic youngsters in Generation Z. Members of Myanmar’s myriad ethnic groups.

As the protests have intensified so too has the response from security forces, with hundreds of arrests and several deaths of protesters reported this past weekend.

(File Photo/AP) Anti-coup protesters face a row of riot police in Yangon, Myanmar.

An anti-coup protester watches through a shield after police blocked their march in Mandalay.

Buddhist monks display placrds during a protest march against the military coup in Yangon.

Armed riot police are seen near protesters in Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

Engineers hold posters with an image of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they stage an anti-coup protest march in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Demonstrators with placards lie on the railway tracks in an attempt to disrupt train service during a protest against a military coup in Mandalay.

A protester wears a safety helmet and eye protector as he shouts slogans during a protest against a military coup in Yangon.

A police truck sprays water to a crowd of protesters in Naypyitaw.

(File Photo/AP) Anti-coup protesters raise their hands with clenched fists during a rally near the Mandalay Railway Station in Mandalay.

Mya Thwet Thwet Khine lies in a coffin during her funeral in Naypyitaw. She was the first confirmed death among the many thousands who have taken to the streets to protest the Feb. 1 coup that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Protesters run after police fired warning shots and used water cannons to disperse them during a protest in Mandalay.

Demonstrators shout slogans and flash the three-fingered symbol of resistance against the military coup standing next to a defaced image of Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in Mandalay.

Thida Hnin cries during the funeral of her husband Thet Naing Win at Kyarnikan cemetery in Mandalay. Thet Naing Win was shot and killed by Myanmar security forces during an anti-coup protest on Feb. 20.