The “8888 Uprising”, the largest ever national Burmese uprising demanding democracy, erupted on The Ne Win government fell and the military imposed Martial law giving absolute power to the commander-in-chief General Saw Maung, in order to quash the demonstrations. The military killed thousands of civilians, including students and Buddhist monks.
Today, the uprising is remembered and honoured by many Burmese expatriates and citizens alike. The people in the democracy movement in Burma will no doubt do something to remember August 8, 1988 on the 21th anniversary of the massacre. Anyone with even a vague familiarity of the military junta’s iron-fisted tactics should not be surprised when the charge to remember the 8888 Uprising is paid in blood. But of course, that has been the price of freedom throughout the ages.
Burmese Democracy Activists in New zealand also honour to the 8888 heroes who sacrificed their lives during the uprising and continue to fight against military regime till now.
Today, the uprising is remembered and honoured by many Burmese expatriates and citizens alike. The people in the democracy movement in Burma will no doubt do something to remember August 8, 1988 on the 21th anniversary of the massacre. Anyone with even a vague familiarity of the military junta’s iron-fisted tactics should not be surprised when the charge to remember the 8888 Uprising is paid in blood. But of course, that has been the price of freedom throughout the ages.
Burmese Democracy Activists in New zealand also honour to the 8888 heroes who sacrificed their lives during the uprising and continue to fight against military regime till now.
News and photos (Yazawin)
