Hundreds Gather in Rangoon to Honor ‘88 Uprising Anniversary

Crowds from across Rangoon o­n Wednesday, led by members of the 88 Generation Students, gathered in the former capital to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, according to o­ne of the group’s leaders.

Members of the 88 Student Generation and other pro-democracy activists present anniversary tributes to monks in Rangoon (Photo: Myat Moe Maung)

Rallies celebrating the anniversary included surviving participants of the 8-8-88 uprising, relatives of political prisoners, university students, artists and journalists.

Min Ko Naing, an 88 Generation Students leader, told The Irrawaddy o­n Wednesday that o­ne monastery in Rangoon was filled with attendees.

“It encourages us,” said Min Ko Naing. “We also heard the voices coming from their hearts. [Participants] dared to express their feelings about the 88 uprising as well.”

The commemorative rallies included offerings of food to monks, while leaders of the 88 Generation Students gave speeches to the crowds.

Min Ko Naing said in o­ne of the speeches that they (pro-democracy activists) don’t accept the draft constitution currently being drawn up by Burma’s military government, and that they will not accept the result of the constitution.

He added that he wants all political parties in Burma to be involved in the draft constitution process.

On August 8, 1988, millions of Burmese from all walks of life took to the streets of major cities throughout the country to protest the authoritarian regime of Gen Ne Win, called the Burmese Socialist Program Party, and demanded democratic reform and human rights in Burma.

Burmese democracy activists around the world, including Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, India, Japan and South Korea, gathered in front of the Burmese embassies in their respective countries to hold demonstrations and give speeches in support of democracy in Burma.

Meanwhile, democracy activists from across Europe gathered at the Burmese Embassy in Brussels, Belgium to protest Burma’s ruling junta. Other demonstrations were also planned in the US.