World rallies on ‘Global Myanmar Spring Revolution Day’

The Global Myanmar Spring Revolution rally in Taipei. Photo: John Liu / Twitter
The Global Myanmar Spring Revolution rally in Taipei. Photo: John Liu / Twitter

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.

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

https://twitter.com/meemalee/status/1388873482650492937

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.

https://twitter.com/nathanlawkc/status/1388983681684021251

 

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