Myanmar protests swell after junta warns demonstrators could die

Protesters hold up three finger salute as they pray for Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing at a cemetery during her funeral service, following her death after being shot at a rally against the military coup, in Naypyidaw on February 21, 2021. (AFP)

Myanmar’s security forces have been unable to stop more than two weeks of daily protests and a civil disobedience movement demanding the reversal of the military coup and the release of detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Protesters hold up three finger salute as they pray for Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing at a cemetery during her funeral service, following her death after being shot at a rally against the military coup, in Naypyidaw on February 21, 2021.

Protesters hold up three finger salute as they pray for Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing at a cemetery during her funeral service, following her death after being shot at a rally against the military coup, in Naypyidaw on February 21, 2021. (AFP)

Protesters have gathered in Myanmar’s biggest city despite the ruling junta’s thinly veiled threat to use lethal force if people answered a call for a general strike opposing the military takeover three weeks ago.

Much of Myanmar has been in uproar over the generals ousting and detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi three weeks ago.

Despite roadblocks around the US Embassy in Yangon, more than a thousand protesters gathered there on Monday, while 20 military trucks with riot police had arrived nearby.

The crowds were gathering after supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement, a loosely organised group leading the resistance, called for people to unite on Monday’s date for a “Spring Revolution.”

The junta warned against the general strike in a public announcement carried last Sunday on state television broadcaster MRTV.

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