Monk Protests Escalate

1) Tharrawaddy, Pegu Division (Sept 17): About 200 monks from the town of Gyobinguak in Tharrawaddy, Pegu Division took a peace walk around the town yesterday from 9 pm to about 10:30 pm reciting the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm). The authorities had followed the monks but later withdrew.

2) Pakokku, Magwe Division (Sept 18): About 1,000 monks from three different monasteries in the town of Pakokku held a peaceful demonstration around the town at about 1:00 p.m. today. According to monks from two monasteries in Pakokku, the demonstrating monks organized themselves into groups of four and marched around the city reciting the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm). The monks then headed to Thihoshin Pagoda, one of the most famous pagodas in Pakokku. The demonstration was closely watched by police and security guards; however, no crackdown by the Burmese authorities has been reported.

3) Aunglan, Magwe Division (Sept 18): About 90 monks in Aunglan Township, Magwe Division, have staged a protest by marching around the town and reciting “metta sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness) at dawn today, according to an eyewitness. Local authorities including the pro-junta paramilitary group Swan-Ah-Shin and police officers followed the monks on motorbikes and watched them closely during the march. The witness said that there had not been any disturbance.

4) Pegu, Pegu Division (Sept 18): At least 1,500 monks took part in a peaceful demonstration in Pegu, 80 km north of Rangoon. Thousands of people followed the monks and offered fresh water to them. The monks began from several different monasteries and marched to Pegu’s historical pagoda, Shwemawdaw, reciting the “Paritta Sutta”. The monks did not allow people to take photographs; two persons who had taken pictures had their cameras confiscated by the monks. The authorities had not cracked down on the demonstration although security forces had appeared before the march carrying bamboo sticks and slingshots, but disappeared soon after. Pegu was quiet as the market and shops had closed for the day.

5) South Okkalapa, Rangoon (Sept 18): More than 30 young monks from various monasteries near Kyaikkasan Pagoda in Rangoon’s South Okkalapa Township participated in a peaceful demonstration between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., according to monks in Rangoon. The monks marched around the township and recited the Paritta Sutta. No crackdown by the authorities has been reported.

6) Botataung Township, Rangoon (Sept 18): About 150 monks marched from several monasteries in Theinphu Street, Rangoon to Sule Pagoda. The total number of monks reached about 600 by the time they had arrived at the pagoda, which was closed at noon by the authorities. The monks continued their protest to Botataung Pagoda, Botataung Township and chanted “metta sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness) during the demonstration. Hundreds of layman supporters followed the monks throughout the march, which ended at about 3:00 p.m.

7) Rangoon, Rangoon Division (Sept 18): More than 400 monks, chanting prayers and walking in rows of two and three, marched peacefully in Rangoon, AP reported. Witnesses said that the monks were briefly stopped by plainclothes officers as they headed toward the country's landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda. The monks were then allowed to continue their march but not permitted to go up to the pagoda.

8) Bahan, Rangoon (Sept 18): Several hundred monks peacefully marched from monasteries in Bahan to Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon. Vehicles belonging to state authorities followed the protesting monks, a witness said. As of 2:30 pm, there were no reports that the march had been broken up by the authorities.

9) Thingangyung, Rangoon (Sept 18): About 90 monks from various monasteries gathered at Kyauksartaw pagoda to “patam nikkujjana kamma,” a refusal to accept alms from the military regime and its supporters.

10) Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division (Sept 18): About 100 monks in Seikta Parlagu Monastery in Kyaunkpadaung in Mandalay Division marched in a peaceful demonstration from 8 a.m. to about 9 a.m. In the demonstration, the monks carried their alms bowls upside down as they marched around the city. Authorities followed the demonstration, taking photographs of the monks, but it was allowed to continue peacefully. Two other monasteries, including Kay Mar Thi Wun Monastery, have also begun “patam nikkujjana kamma,” a refusal to accept alms from the military regime and its supporters, the source said. The two monasteries have a total of more than 500 monks.

11) Sittwe, Arakan State (Sept 18): Buddhist monks in Sittwe led a demonstration against the government imposed fuel price hike. The demonstration, that began this afternoon around 1 p.m. "Civilians are also participating in it. About 2,000 civilians and monks joined the demonstration. The police initially tried to block the protesting monks but later they had to give in. Then, when monks went ahead with their marching, township administrative officials and police ran into their offices, according to local resident. In the demonstration, one Buddhist monk was injured when some policemen hit him. In response, the monks threw stones at the security forces.

12) Chauk, Magwe Division (Sept 18): Over 200 monks in Chauk staged a peaceful demonstration this morning by marching in procession in the town starting at 5:30 am while reciting Sutra. A lot of people watched them while they were marching. They recited the Metta Sutra and Mawra Sutra while marching. The Township PDC office didn't hinder or disturb the monks, said the Chairman of the Chauk Township Sangha (Monk) Association.

II. Worldwide Protests against China (Sept 18)
In addition to the protest I posted yesterday, more protests against China took place in the following areas today.
1) Free Burma Coalition-Philippines: Members of Free Burma Coalition and Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) also commemorated the 19th Anniversary of the military coup in Burma in 1988.

“We challenge China to reconsider its stance on Burma. China has always projected itself as the champion of the Third World, of the oppressed and exploited and this support must be translated in supporting the peoples of Burma and not its elite and brutal rulers. The continuing military adventurism of the junta must be stopped and it is the duty of all civilized and legitimate states to help.”

2) Auckland, New Zealand: Pro-democracy activists from New Zealand staged a demonstration against China's foreign policy towards Burma in front of the Chinese Consulate in Auckland. In this demonstration, activists demanded the Chinese government stop supporting Burma and work for the restoration of democracy in Burma.

3) London, UK: Campaigners in London joined activists worldwide in a day of action against China over its Burma policy. A demonstration was held at the Chinese Embassy in London from 12.30-1.30pm.

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