YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – As enthusiastic crowds of tens of thousands marched through the streets of Myanmar’s largest city on Sunday to protest last week’s coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, their spirits were lifted by the return of blocked Internet services a day earlier.
Separate protests that began in various parts of Yangon converged on Sule Pagoda, located in the center of a roundabout in the city center. Protesters chanted “Long live Mother Suu” and “Down with the military dictatorship.” Protesters from other parts of the country echoed their calls.
Authorities had cut off Internet access as protests grew on Saturday, avoiding fears of a complete shutdown of information. On Sunday afternoon, however, Internet users in Yangon reported that access to data from their mobile phones had been suddenly restored.
Protesters are trying to reverse last Monday’s takeover by the military and demand the release of the detainee Suu Kyi, the country’s ousted leader, and other prominent figures in his National League for Democracy party.
The military has accused the Suu Kyi government of acting on allegations that last November’s election was marred by fraud, although the election commission said it had found no evidence to support it. to the statements.
The growing protests are a strong reminder of the long and bloody struggle for democracy in a country that the military ruled directly for more than five decades before loosening control in 2012. The Suu Kyi government, which winning a landslide election in 2015, was the first run by civilians in decades, although it faced a series of brakes on power under a military constitution.
During the years of isolation of Myanmar under military rule, the golden-domed Sule Pagoda served as a rallying point for political protests calling for democracy, especially during a massive 1988 uprising and again during a 2007-led uprising. by Buddhist monks.
The military used to do deadly force to end these riots, with estimates of hundreds, if not thousands, of people killed in 1988. Although riot police were sent to watch the protests last week, soldiers have been absent and there have been no reports of clashes. .
Several videos posted online Sunday calling for the city of Myawaddy, on Myanmar’s eastern border with Thailand, showed police firing into the air in an apparent effort to disperse a crowd. There were no signs of panic or reports of injuries.
Showing little fear, the crowds of protests have grown larger and bolder in recent days, while maintaining their nonviolence in support of the party’s call for Suu Kyi and her allies to civil disobedience.
At one of Sunday’s meetings, at least 2,000 union and student activists and members of the public gathered at a major intersection near Yangon University. They walked down a main road, snoring traffic. The drivers blew their horns in support.
Police with riot gear blocked the main entrance to the university. Two water cannon trucks were parked nearby.
Mostly young protesters had banners calling for the release of Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who were arrested at home and charged with minor crimes, considered by many to be a legal badge for their arrest.
“We just want to show this current generation how the older generation is fighting this crisis, following Mother Suu’s guidelines, which is to be honest, transparent and peaceful,” said Htain Linn Aung, a 46-year-old protester. “We do not want a military dictator. Let the dictator fail. “
Reports posted on social media and some Myanmar news services said demonstrations were also taking place in other parts of the country, with a particularly large crowd in the central city of Mandalay, where there was also a motorcycle procession in which hundreds of people participated constantly. beeping their horns.
Saturday had seen the size of street protests grow from hundreds to thousands, but it was also seen as authorities cut off most Internet access. Holes in the army firewall allowed some news to spread, but it also scared off fears of a complete shutdown of information.
Previously, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were ordered to be blocked, but had been partially accessible. Social media platforms have been the main sources of independent news, in addition to organizing tools for the protests.
Netblocks, a London-based service that monitors Internet outages and outages, confirmed that there had been a partial restoration of Internet connectivity on Sunday, but noted that it could be temporary and that social media would remain. blocked.
Blocking communication was a strong reminder of the progress Myanmar is in danger of losing. During Myanmar’s decades of military rule, the country was isolated internationally and communication with the outside world was strictly controlled.
Elected lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s party met on Friday in an online meeting to declare themselves as the only legitimate representatives of the people and called for international recognition as the country’s government.
Pope Francis joined the international choir concerned about the situation.
Speaking to the public on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said he has been following “with great concern the situation that has developed in Myanmar,” noting his affection for the country since his visit there in 2017. .
He said he hoped Myanmar leaders would work sincerely “to promote social justice and national stability for harmonious democratic coexistence.”