Mass protests continued on Tuesday in Myanmar against the military coup in spite of the growing threat of violence.
Demonstrators took to the streets in Bago, Myawaddy, Pakokku, Kalay, Muse, Myitkyina, Pathein, Loikaw, Taunggyi, Hinthada, Lashio, Pyay, and Magway, according to local news portal Eleven Myanmar.
Protesters gathered in front of the U.S. embassy in Yangon and near the central bank, calling for the reinstatement of a civilian government under deposed state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and for her release.
Participants made a renewed call on the UN and the U.S. for support, with many holding placards with inscriptions such as “We, the people of Myanmar, fully support any action that the UN and the U.S. take.’’
Earlier, U.S. President, Joe Biden announced sanctions against the leading generals, associated companies, and protesters hope other countries will take similar action.
Meanwhile, long lines formed outside Myawaddy Bank, which is owned by the military, on Tuesday, as citizens tried to withdraw money after the resistance movement called for a boycott of army-run businesses.
By noon, the bank was forced to close due to the crowds and said it would not issue any money before Wednesday.
The authorities have cracked down on protests with growing brutality since the weekend, and the number of soldiers on the streets has significantly increased.
The internet was also blocked nationwide on Monday and Tuesday night from 1a.m. [1830 GMT] until 9 a.m.
The coup on Feb. 1, followed an election in November in which Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide, but which the military said was fraudulent without providing any evidence. (dpa/NAN)
