Extraordinary developments in Burma

Rangoon, Sunday 23 September. 4:00 p.m.—The crowds of demonstrators in downtown Rangoon grew to an estimated 20,000, including about 5,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, by mid-afternoon on Sunday. To the cheers and applause of bystanders, they chanted support for detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to eyewitnesses. The demonstrators passed the US Embassy before heading for the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city.

Kachin News Group:
Monks in Kachin state storm out of confinement to protest

In total defiance of the Burmese military junta's dictat where hundreds of them were confined in monasteries for over a week by the authorities, monks in Myitkyina Township and Bhamo city in Kachin State, northern Burma broke free and hit the streets in protest. Monks thronged the streets in two major cities Myitkyina and Bhamo in Kachin State for the first time since the 1988 democracy uprising.

In Myitkyina Township, capital of Kachin State, over 200 monks marched along Ledo Road from Maymyint quarter to the Clock Tower downtown at 11 a.m. local time, eyewitnesses told KNG this afternoon.

The monks stopped for a while at the Yuzana Monastery in Yuzana Quarter. Over 300 monks gathered at the monastery. They started their protest march from the Yuzana Monastery this afternoon, said a source close to the monastery.

The silent march of the monks' is being followed by over 200 civilians on bicycles, motorcycles and cars, said eyewitnesses.

In Bhamo city, the second largest in Kachin State, over 100 monks marched against the ruling junta early this morning along major roads. They later gathered at the Theindawgyi Monastery along with over 300 monks before 7:30 a.m. according to monastery sources.

Video:

Monks' Revolution Continue to Third Day in Burma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZSALH9wIEQ&mode=related&search=

Buddhist Monks in Rangoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsrgrl899TE

Walk to FREEDOM! Sept 20 2007 Myanmar Yangon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQNh0TFM9LA&mode=related&search=

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Last Modified: Friday, 28-Sep-2007 10:09:02 EST
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