YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – Protesters in Myanmar’s coup, who are trying to find themes to unite nationwide protests, took to the streets on Sunday with painted eggs in a nod for the Easter holidays.
In the largest city of Yangon, one group marched through the Insein district and sang and sang with protest songs and rocking eggs with the slogan ‘Spring Revolution’. Many of the eggs also have a drawing of the three-fingered salute, a symbol of resistance to the February 1 coup.
At dawn in Mandalay, the country’s second largest city, protesters gathered on motorcycles to protest against the power attack that overthrew the democratically elected government.
Myanmar’s army has violently killed protesters and others in opposition, with the latest civilian death toll since the 557 coup, according to the Independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. More than 2,750 people have been detained or sentenced, the group said.
On Sunday, security forces opened fire on a crowd of protesters in Pyinmana in central Myanmar, killing at least one person, local news agency Khit Thit Media reported.
In his speech on Easter Sunday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis prayed for the “young people of Myanmar who are committed to supporting democracy and making their voices heard peacefully, knowing that hatred can only be driven away by love.”
Sunday’s so-called “Easter Egg Strike” follows other theme days. They included a “Flower Strike”, in which protesters laid flowers in public places to honor those killed by security forces, and a “Silent Strike”, in which people across the country were left abandoned in the streets.
Dr Sasa, the UN special envoy to Myanmar, who mentions one name, posted a picture of painted eggs on Twitter and wrote that the people of Myanmar have a ‘great future in federal democracy’, reflecting hope for the army to retire and re-establish a democratic system.
Security forces continued to spread fear among ordinary citizens. A Yangon resident recorded video overnight of a group of soldiers and police using shots to fire stones at the windows of houses, breaking the night’s silence. At other times, soldiers and police continue their intimidation at night with raids on neighborhoods, during which they shout abuse, randomly shoot, make arrests and vandalize property.
On Saturday, the police several protesters in Monywa in central Myanmar and killed elsewhere.
With most of the internet access cut or restricted by the junta, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people in Myanmar to get images of their fate to the outside world.
After several weeks of internet disruptions overnight, the military shut down all links on Friday, except those using optical cable, which operates at drastically lower speeds. Access to mobile networks and all wireless – the cheaper options most people in the developing country use – were blocked on Sunday.