Myanmar protests (2021–present)

Quick Facts: Who was Myanmar protests (2021–present)?

Subject:

Myanmar protests (2021–present)

Known for:

The sustained, nonviolent resistance movement against the 2021 military coup in Myanmar.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Protests in Myanmar, known locally as the Spring Revolution (Burmese: နွေဦးတော်လှန်ရေး, Burmese pronunciation: [nwè.ú.tɔ̀.l̥àɰ̃.jé]), began in early 2021 in opposition to the coup d'état on 1 February, staged by Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, the Tatmadaw. As of 23 June 2022, at least 2000 protesters had been killed, 14,000 arrested and 700,000 displaced by the military junta. Protesters mostly employed peaceful and nonviolent forms of protest, which included acts of civil disobedience, labour strikes, a military boycott campaign, a pot-banging movement, a red ribbon campaign, public protests, and formal recognition of the election results by elected representatives. The colour red, which is associated with the National League for Democracy (NLD), has been donned by many protesters. "Kamba Ma Kyay Buu", a song that was first popularised as the anthem of the 8888 Uprising (1988), has been revitalised by the civil disobedience movement as a protest song.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The three-finger salute has been widely adopted by protesters as a protest symbol. In response to the growing protest movement, the military leaders of the coup enacted a number of countermeasures. These included internet and social media blackouts, a media blackout, pursuit of arrests and criminal sentences against protesters, the spread of disinformation, political overtures to competing political parties to participate in the self-appointed State Administration Council (to replace the elected government body), deployment of pro-military protesters and instigators, and the violent use of force to suppress protests. Armed insurgencies by the People's Defence Force of the National Unity Government have erupted throughout Myanmar in response to the military government's crackdown on anti-coup protests. The 2021 Myanmar coup d'état began on the morning of 1 February 2021 when democratically elected members of Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the Tatmadaw – Myanmar's military – which vested power in a stratocracy, the State Administration Council.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Tatmadaw declared a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been vested in Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing. The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected at the November 2020 general election, thereby preventing this from occurring. President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers and their deputies and members of Parliament. When the coup took place, a key source of mobilisation were industrial workers in Myanmar, who understood the coup as an event that would pave the way for greater worker exploitation and wage depression. Workers went on to form a key base from which the Spring revolution developed.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1988: 1988 Milestone — "Kamba Ma Kyay Buu", a song that was first popularised as the anthem of the 8888 Uprising (1988), has been revitalised by the civil disobedience movement as a protest song.
2. 2020: 2020 Milestone — The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected at the November 2020 general election, thereby preventing this from occurring.
3. 2021: 2021 Milestone — jé]), began in early 2021 in opposition to the coup d'état on 1 February, staged by Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, the Tatmadaw.
4. 2022: 2022 Milestone — As of 23 June 2022, at least 2000 protesters had been killed, 14,000 arrested and 700,000 displaced by the military junta.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Myanmar protests (2021–present)

True or False: “The initial protests following the February 1, 2021 coup were solely organized by students and urban intellectuals.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While students were involved, industrial workers formed a key base for the Spring Revolution, viewing the coup as a threat to labor rights.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Myanmar protests (2021–present)