Protesters in Myanmar closed shops and stayed off the streets on Friday in a “silent strike” against the military’s rule and the February coup that deposed the Southeast Asian country’s democratically elected government.
Photos published by Myanmar media showed deserted streets and markets in towns across the country, while protesters in the northern city of Shwebo marched in silence while dressed in black.
“We need to send a message to the rest of the world about Myanmar’s terrible human rights violations,” protest leader Khin Sandar told the media.
“The loudest shout is silence.” We want our rights restored. We desire a revolution.
“We express our condolences for the loss of our fallen heroes,” she said.
Myanmar was thrown into crisis on Feb. 1 when the military deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her government, sparking daily protests in towns and cities and border clashes between the military and ethnic minority insurgents.
Nobel laureate Suu Kyi, 76, is facing multiple charges and was sentenced to four years in prison on the first of them – incitement and violation of coronavirus regulations – on Monday, prompting international condemnation of what critics called a “sham trial.”
The junta chief later commuted her sentence by two years on “humanitarian grounds,” but the charges she still faces could land her in prison for a long time.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Junta forces seeking to crush opposition have killed over 1,300 people.
Five people were killed and at least 15 were arrested last Sunday after soldiers used a car to crash through an anti-coup protest in Yangon.
The incident has been dismissed as disinformation by Myanmar’s state media.
Minn Khant Kyaw Linn, a student activist with the General Strikes Collaboration Body protest group, said the “silent strike” was widely observed.
“It’s clear how much people despise the junta,” he said.