Burmese Buddhist monks called on students and civilians to join hands with them in public protests against the military regime which has ruled the country for almost 20 years.
The Federation of All Burma Young Monks Unions issued a statement on Thursday saying, “It is time for the Burmese people to work with monks and courageously demonstrate their genuine aspirations.”
This was the first official call by protesting monks for the public to take part in their demonstration marches which have spread across the country during the past week. Previously, the monks asked the public not to join their protests.
Students should lift their own "fighting peacock flag," a symbol of struggle against the military regime, in the demonstrations, the statement said.
An 88 Generation Students group leader, Tun Myint Aung, told The Irrawaddy on Friday: “We strongly welcome this statement by the monks because it's a very good approach calling on everyone from different parts of society to join hands and work for the liberation of the people.”
If students and monks take the lead, together with masses of civilians, the people can effectively express their feelings and desires, he said.
A leading Burmese poet, Aung Way, said the artist community should also join in solidarity with the monks and people.
“It's time for all Burmese artists and poets to join together with the monks who have taken the lead in the protests against the regime," Aung Way said.
The statement also called on monks throughout Burma to rally together in unity and to expand the protests throughout the country.
Monks began their protest demonstrations in Rangoon and other cities on Tuesday after the junta failed to offer an apology for violence used against monks in Pakkoku on September 6. Monks have marched with their alms bowls turned upside down, a symbol of a boycott of alms from the military regime and its supporters.
Starting on August 19, the 88 Generation Students group and other pro-democracy activists began protest demonstrations in Rangoon and other cities.
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Crowds support monks in rain in Rangoon [Photo: Myat Moe Maung] |
This was the first official call by protesting monks for the public to take part in their demonstration marches which have spread across the country during the past week. Previously, the monks asked the public not to join their protests.
Students should lift their own "fighting peacock flag," a symbol of struggle against the military regime, in the demonstrations, the statement said.
An 88 Generation Students group leader, Tun Myint Aung, told The Irrawaddy on Friday: “We strongly welcome this statement by the monks because it's a very good approach calling on everyone from different parts of society to join hands and work for the liberation of the people.”
If students and monks take the lead, together with masses of civilians, the people can effectively express their feelings and desires, he said.
A leading Burmese poet, Aung Way, said the artist community should also join in solidarity with the monks and people.
“It's time for all Burmese artists and poets to join together with the monks who have taken the lead in the protests against the regime," Aung Way said.
The statement also called on monks throughout Burma to rally together in unity and to expand the protests throughout the country.
Monks began their protest demonstrations in Rangoon and other cities on Tuesday after the junta failed to offer an apology for violence used against monks in Pakkoku on September 6. Monks have marched with their alms bowls turned upside down, a symbol of a boycott of alms from the military regime and its supporters.
Starting on August 19, the 88 Generation Students group and other pro-democracy activists began protest demonstrations in Rangoon and other cities.
