Commemoration of 18th anniversary of 8.8.88 uprising held worldwide

Mizzima News: 8 August, 2006

The world over Burmese activists and solidarity groups today commemorated the 18th anniversary of Burma's popular democracy uprising which was brutally crushed by the military.

In the former Burmese capital city of Rangoon, students of the ‘88 generation led by student leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi earlier today, visited the Chauk-Htat-Gyi pagoda and offered food to Buddhist monks in memory of their fallen comrades in what was a famous uprising.

Authorities reportedly barred people from attending the students-led commemoration service and prevented activists from distributing pamphlets. Security in Rangoon has been tightened over the past three days with police and soldiers posted on major street junctions.

Despite the heightened security, the students of the ‘88 generation were able to go ahead with the commemoration service at Chauk-Htat-Gyi pagoda.

But no programme was held to commemorate the 1988 uprising in the office of the headquarters of the National League for Democracy, Burma's main political opposition party, said U Nyan Win the spokesperson of the party.

In honour of fallen students, civilians, monks and others in the 1988 democracy uprising, which was brutally put down by the junta, Burmese activists and solidarity groups around the world including China, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Thailand held commemoration services.

"To me the ‘88 uprising seems like it happened yesterday. I still vividly recall those faces which had fallen during the bloody crackdown. I can never forget the brutality of the military that killed many students. Bearing the same cause with our comrades who are in prisons and in jungles, we have resolved to fight until we achieve democracy in Burma," said Zin Naing, a student leader at the demonstration held in New Delhi.

Similarly, the All Burma Students Democratic Front joined by the National League for Democracy – Librated Area (Western Division) and Burmese Women’s Union held a commemoration service which was attended by over 70 Burmese activists and regional Burma supporters.