Protests – The Speaker News Journal

Myanmar Update: Security forces crack down on protesters in Yangon, deaths

March 2, 2021 by The Speaker Editors

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YANGON – Myanmar security forces cracked down on protesters again this week, causing four dead and five wounded.

The protesters have been calling on the military to release detainees including the state counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the president, Win Myint. Security forces arrested many peaceful protesters and reporters during the crackdown.

This week, the Canadian embassy condemned the use of force by the military and called for full restoration of internet access and the lifting social media restrictions.

By Htay Win
Photo credit Amwe Sein

Myanmar university students rally near Chinese embassy, protest SEAFOOD

February 27, 2021February 27, 2021 by The Speaker Editors

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YANGON, Myanmar – University students in Yangon rallied near the Chinese embassy Feb. 27 and called for the Chinese government not to cooperate with the Myanmar military.

Protesters in Myanmar suspect that China is transporting hardware devices to build a firewall for controlling the internet in Myanmar. When the protesters asked the question, the embassy told them that China was sending SEAFOOD to Myanmar. “SEAFOOD” is defines as Software Engineering Approaches for Offshore and Outsourced Development.

There are three main telecommunication companies in Myanmar: MPT, Ooredo and Telenor have provided faster internet connections since 2014.

At present, there is an internet blackout between 1am to 9am daily throughout Myanmar, and when it is available, internet connections are slower than before the military grabbed power from the democratically-elected government.

By Htay Win
Featured image credit: Sit Htet Aung

Myanmar: Union Election Commission revokes 2020 election results

February 26, 2021 by The Speaker Editors

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YANGON, Myanmar – The UEC revoked election results when it met with political parties in Naypyiday Feb. 26. The current election commission was established by the military after it took power in early February, replacing the previous election commission which had validated the presidency of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Among 91 political parties in Myanmar, 53 political parties attended the meeting. “We have to abolish the 2020 election result because of election fraud,” the chairman of the UEC explained.

In the 2020 election, the National League for Democracy party (NLD) won by a landslide, but the military complained that the NLD had committed fraud.

Under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD was the most popular and famous political party in mainland Myanmar.

By Htay Win
Featured image photo credit: Wutyi Ma

Myanmar military urges government employees to come back work

February 24, 2021 by The Speaker Editors

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YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar’s military called for government employees who are participating in the civil disobedience movement (CDM) to get back to their respective departments. If they do not come back to their jobs by Feb. 25, they will face legal actions, the state administration council warned.

Since the military staged the coup, people in big cities have protested, calling on both government and private employees to join the CDM. Even though some ministries are participating, some are have hesitated.

The CDM campaign is being led by Min Ko Naing and J-Me, the student leaders in the 1988 uprising.

“The CDM campaign is to stop the mechanism of the military administration and reduce the blood shed of innocent people,” stated Min Ko Naing.

By Htay Win

Big Government Protest in Moscow

February 6, 2021June 6, 2017 by The Speaker Editors

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Alexei Navalny has organized one of the largest public demonstrations against the Russian government this week, with thousands showing up.

Although Navalny was given permission to hold a demonstration, he moved the protest to another area where he did not have permission. Clashes with police followed.

Navalny sent out a video message at night telling his supporters to go to the location near Red Square and to “go nowhere else.” Navalny was arrested before he could go to the location.

Navalny has only 2% support in Russia, while Putin has widespread support.

Venezuelan Protests Continue

February 5, 2021February 5, 2017 by The Speaker Editors

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Citizens are protesting the government after a March 20 attempt by the country’s highest court to dissolve the national assembly, which would in turn weaken President Maduro’s opponents.