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Monks show their support for Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in Bangkok
Photo: DIEGO AZUBEL / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
A week after the military coup, prominent activists in Myanmar called for a nationwide general strike.
The Civil Disobedience Movement called on the population in social networks to join the resistance.
"Don't go to the office, go out into the street," wrote the movement.
According to eyewitness reports, tens of thousands of demonstrators protested against the military over the weekend and demanded the release of the disempowered de facto Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.
On Monday, numerous people protested again in the Southeast Asian country, including monks who joined the demonstrations.
According to the Reuters news agency, the police threatened the protesters to break up the meeting.
Police use water cannons
In the capital, Naypyidaw, the police used water cannons at the weekend, as can be seen in photos that were shared on social networks.
There should also have been injuries.
Even in the largest city, Yangon, many people took to the streets.
In the northern city of Mandalay in particular, there was a large demonstration in which the participants held pictures of Suu Kyi in their hands and asked for her release on posters.
75-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi had clearly won the general election in November and was confirmed for a second term.
She was taken into custody a week ago along with numerous top politicians.
Since then, the Southeast Asian country has been governed again by a junta that has declared a year-long state of emergency.
Suu Kyi is said to be under house arrest but has not been seen since the coup.
She is reportedly to be charged.
"Shame on you, dictator"
As at the weekend, the rallies were dominated by the color red - based on the color of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.
Many demonstrators also carried crossed-out photos of General Min Aung Hlaing, who took power after the coup a week ago.
"Shame on you, dictator," it read.
Observers now fear an escalation: The protests in the country are increasing, in the past the army had suppressed all resistance with brutal violence.
"We expect this," said one activist, "but we cannot stop, there is no turning back." Last week, civil disobedience had already seen countless civil servants, nurses, engineers, teachers and employees of the state television partially stopped work and organized protests at their workplaces.
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mrc / dpa / Reuters
