Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters called for a “Global Spring Revolution” for Myanmar over the weekend in 18 countries and 37 cities across the world.
Protesters clad in black raised three bloody fingers and called for an end to military rule and global recognition of the newly formed National Unity Government, a government-in-exile formed by deposed parliamentarians, ethnic minorities and general strike committees.
The three-finger salute from the Hunger Games is now an emblematic symbol for democracy in the growing Milk Tea Alliance movement in South East Asia.
“We are representing Myanmar voices and we must voice out abroad to pressure international leaders and countries to take action,” said Su Wai Lin, with the Taiwan-based organizer Global Myanmar Spring Revolution.
The group last week called on the Myanmar diaspora to “honor the fallen heroes of Myanmar” by wearing black and raising a “bloody three finger strike” on Sunday.
The date was chosen for its similarity to Feb. 22, 2021, aka the 22222 Revolution, another date chosen for echoing the 8888 Revolution. In Myanmar, where numerology is widely believed to have direct consequences on everyday life and politics, auspicious dates are chosen for broad acts of political dissent.
Thousands took to the streets across 14 states and regions in Myanmar as the pro-democracy movement entered its fourth month of peaceful demonstrations despite ongoing security crackdowns that have killed more than 800 and seen detentions of more than 5,600 including politicians, journalists, doctors, teachers, students and celebrities, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma.
A group of youth shared anti-regime messages in locations across Yangon on Sunday morning. Pro-democracy activists around the country had called for May 2 to serve as the #GlobalSpringRevolutionDay in the anti-dictatorship movement. (Photo: Supplied) pic.twitter.com/WUyoTcJgOr
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
Mandalay residents marched in protest of the military dictatorship on Sunday morning. (Photo: CJ)#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/BxgnjMbqz0
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
Locals in Ye, Mon State, held a demonstration against the military dictatorship on Sunday morning. (Photo: CJ) #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/xoLBo6LwBZ
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
Anti-coup protesters from Tada-U, Mandalay Region, joined the #GlobalSpringRevolutionDay on Sunday. (Photo: CJ) #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar pic.twitter.com/I6gQzlCrrw
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
In Kalay, Sagaing, anti-military protesters marched this morning (May 2) despite an increase in the military council's forces.
Photo: CJ#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/EqMcfaXHxW— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
Despite tight restrictions due to being hit by rockets on Apr 29, a large number of people marched in Meikhtila today (May 2) as part of the #GlobalSpringRevolutionDay. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/SeZqvD41T6
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
In Kalay, Sagain, a crowd bigger than those seen in recent days gathered today (May 2) as part of the #GlobalSpringRevolutionDay to protest the military dictatorship. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/dhgygjLmkE
— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) May 2, 2021
Seven protestors were killed and dozens abducted yesterday in response to the largest street protests in the country in weeks.
Anti-coup protests in Myanmar’s urban areas have evaded security forces by organising “flash protests” that appear as quickly as they disappear.
Rallies were also held across Europe, in the US, UK, Canada and across the Asia Pacific in Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Australia.
https://twitter.com/XunlingAu/status/1388841475417456640
Myanmar people in Finland gather in front of the parliament building in Helsinki, Finland to condemn the coup.CRPH and NUG endorsement.
GLOBAL SPRING REVOLUTION#May2Coup#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#SpringRevolution pic.twitter.com/XjLoq6XwUb
— Byun Uri (@ZN_hundred_Hyun) May 2, 2021
THREAD: #GlobalMyanmarSpringRevolution Day Protest Photos. #အရေးတော်ပုံ_အောင်ရမည် #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #May2Coup #MilkTeaAlliance pic.twitter.com/Zdk9zYW59F
— Me Me Khant (@Me_Me_Khant) May 2, 2021
Thousands protested in Melbourne as Global Myanmar Spring Revolution Day (May1) marching from Federation Square to State Legislature to call for the Australian government to act against alleged atrocities in Myanmar.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #May1Coup
https://t.co/j2MD6ahCK4— Daniel (@KyawSitThway4) May 1, 2021
Australia: Anti-Coup Protest by Myanmar Residents in Brisbane on May2 joining the Global Myanmar Spring Revolution. We will definitely win the fight! Thanks, Australia!!#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #May2Coup pic.twitter.com/xU0djePmXw
— NwayOo (@NwayOoTWs) May 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/AungPyaeHein/status/1388769068488871937
Nuns in Rome are fully embracing the demonstration in support of the people of #Myanmar, by painting three fingers in red – the blood of more than 750 protestors against the military coup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar & Roma. pic.twitter.com/SbNhevII9L
— Sara Perria (@Sara_Perria) May 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/meemalee/status/1388873482650492937
#GlobalSpringRevolutionDay protest kicks off on one of the busiest streets /shopping districts in #Taipei, joining some ten countries around the world calling for the end of #coup and violence against people, and the #ASEAN support of the National Unity Government. #NUG pic.twitter.com/sf3kTvAWuG
— John Liu (@JohnLiuNN) May 2, 2021
Prominent Hong Kong activist Nathan Law joined a Spring Revolution rally in Trafalgar Square yesterday where called on the world “to act”.
“The Hong Kong people, the population in Milk Tea Alliance, and the people supporting democracy around the world are standing with you. You are not alone,” Law said in his speech.
📢My speech today at #GlobalSpringRevolutionDay in London.
Solidarity with freedom fighters. End military terrorist dictatorship.
The world has to act. #Myanmar#MilkTeaAlliance#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#StandwithMyanmar pic.twitter.com/FwuKupKpm7— Nathan Law 羅冠聰 (@nathanlawkc) May 2, 2021
