The massive petition campaign run by students in political opposition groups is continuing to gain ground throughout Myanmar.
Organizers claim to have collected over 270,000 signatures calling for the release of political prisoners. “Signatures have been collected not only from people in cities and towns, but also from villages and remote areas right across Burma,” reports one of the organizers.
The campaign began in reaction to the re-arrest of 5 student leaders in late September of this year. On October 19th, a demonstration was organized to recognize the birthday of one of the imprisoned students, Min Ko Naing.
“We celebrate this birthday without the one we are honoring. So we name today’s gathering the “silent birthday,” said Kyaw Min Yuu, one of the celebration organizers.
The celebration continued as the military junta used its state run newspaper, Myanma Alin, to once again criticize the actions of opposition groups. The paper claimed that the National League for Democracy and the 88 Generation Student Group are part of a consolidated movement to disrupt the peace and stability of the country.
Mizzima: 270,000 signatures demanding release of student leaders – 17 Oct
