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YANGON, Myanmar – Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Myanmar’s largest city on Wednesday in one of the largest coup protests to date, despite warnings from a human rights expert that recent Troop movements could indicate that the army was planning a violent crackdown.
In Yangon, protesters marched with signs calling for the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be released from detention, while others feigned car trouble, strategically abandoning their vehicles and leaving the hood up to prevent security forces from being able to easy access to demonstrations. Large demonstrations were also held in the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay, and the capital of Naypyitaw, in defiance of an order prohibiting gatherings of five or more people.
One motorist, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared being attacked, explained wryly that his car had broken down “due to the suffering that our people are suffering now. We just stop the cars here on the road to show that we don’t want the military regime. “
The demonstrations came a day later: Rapporteur Tom Andrews expressed alarm at reports of the transport of soldiers to Yangon, noting that such movements had previously preceded mass killings, disappearances and arrests.
“I am terrified that, given the confluence of these two events – planned massive protests and the convergence of troops – we may be on the verge of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar,” he said in a statement issued by the organization. Humanitarian. Rights Office in Geneva.
By Wednesday night, there were no reports of major violence in the protests.
However, Mandalay residents reported hearing gunshots about an hour after the night curfew began at 8 p.m. as dozens of police and soldiers roamed a neighborhood with housing for state railroad workers.
There have been similar reports of shooting and other aggressive actions in various cities since last week, apparently part of attempts to intimidate people rather than cause injury. Railroad workers could be targeted because they have declared their support for the protest movement and have staged work stoppages.
The military seized power on February 1, the day newly elected MPs were supposed to take their seats, a shocking setback for a country that had been taking tentative steps toward democracy. The board said the inauguration was necessary because the Suu Kyi government had not investigated allegations of election fraud that her party overwhelmingly won; the electoral commission has dismissed those claims.
The high turnout in the protests came a day after junta leaders declared that the demonstrations were fading, and Kyi Pyar, a former lawmaker from Suu Kyi’s party, said the removal only served to stimulate resistance.
“This upset people,” he said. “We are not weak, we will never take a step back in the fight against the military regime. So we go back to the street. “
In Naypyitaw, thousands of people, including private bank employees and engineers, marched down the wide boulevards of the city, chanting for the release of Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
Protesters also took to the streets of Mandalay, where earlier in the week security forces pointed guns at protesters and attacked them with slings and clubs. Local media reported that several people were injured.
The marches have been organized as part of a civil disobedience movement, led by medical workers and supported by many public officials.
Police filed a new charge against Suu Kyi, her lawyer said Tuesday, a move that will likely keep her under house arrest and further fuel public anger. It was the second charge against Suu Kyi, the first for illegal possession of walkie-talkies, the second for an alleged violation of coronavirus restrictions, both apparent attempts to provide a legal appearance to her detention.
State television also announced charges Wednesday against several prominent artists, including actors and directors, who have publicly supported protests against the coup. They were charged under a law that penalizes those who act in a way that hinders or prevents members of the armed forces and government employees from performing their duties.
The animators were allegedly accused of inducing public officials to leave work, and the move reflects the board’s concern about the widespread and growing participation of public officials in the protests.
On Tuesday night, the military ordered an internet shutdown for the third day in a row, almost completely blocking online access from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m.
While the military did not say why the internet was being blocked, there is widespread speculation that the government is installing a firewall system to allow it to monitor or block online activity. AP
