Peaceful protests against the military government in Burma, which started in Yangon and Mandalay this Saturday, are increasing across the country, with demonstrators taking to the streets in Naypyitaw and several of the ethnic states.
Yesterday, students, government servants and others protested in Lashio, located in northern Shan State.
Lashio resident, Ko Myo Oo, vowed to continue demonstrating “until the military dictatorship falls down”. They elected the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, he told NMG, but the military seized power of the country.
The protesters shouted "we don't want dictatorship" and "we'll only accept the civilian government", while calling for the junta to release all of the lawmakers who are still being detained.
Yesterday evening, thousands gathered in Taunggyi and Hpekon townships, located in southern Shan State.
Similar numbers joined protests in Mawlamyine, but Mi Chan Mon told NMG that unlike demonstrators in Yangon, who were mostly on foot, residents of the Mon State capital city took the streets on their motorbikes. No police or soldiers were seen during Sunday's gathering and protests were expected to continue today.
Residents of Loikaw, capital of Kayah State, also demonstrated yesterday.
Yesterday, police fired rubber bullets at protesters in Myawaddy, according Ko Bo Bo, a resident of the border town located in Karen State, along the Thai border.
At the time of press, NMG couldn't independently report this claim, and it was unclear if anyone was injured during the alleged attack.
According to Ko Bo Bo, police arrested at least 7 people who were leading the demonstration near the Friendship Bridge.
Protesters across the country plan to launch a general strike this Monday, including in Kachin State. Earlier today, a video showed police using a water cannon against protesters in Naypyitaw.
A nightly ritual of banging pots and pans from residences in Yangon, Mandalay and other locations in Burma to display dissent against the military's coup has continued every evening since last week.
