Tens of thousands of people rallied in the morning of February 17 to protest against the military dictatorship in Moulmein, as part of the growing Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), that is erupting across the country.
The protesters marched from Ahhtaka (2) Hlaing Ward, Mawlamyine to Shwe Myaing Thiri. The crowd included health, education workers, as well as workers from Myanmar Railways (Mawlamyine), the Myanmar Seafarers Association and numerous government departments. The protest involved more than 10,000 local people.
An education official said, “this is because injustice is so strong. I am worried that democracy will disappear. And I worry about the future of our children. This is why we want everyone to join the CDM to stop the junta’s machinery.”
Today, about 500 Mawlamyine residents staged a sit-in protest in front of the Myanma Economic Bank Branch 1 on Strand Road. Protesters urged bank staff to join the CDM movement of employees of (1).
A health worker said, “for the youth future, that’s why I want you to be a part of CDM. Rather than do as we urge, it is better if you join voluntarily. It’s best to contribute to your country.”
Private banks in Mawlamyine and across Mon State have been closed as workers join the CDM.
An employee of Myanmar Railways said, “I do not want to work under the [military] at the moment. And I like the era of free speech and democracy. We can not accept the dictatorship. That is why we are embracing CDM.”
The Mawlamyine-Yangon No. 90 passenger train was blocked by protesters on the morning of February 16th, as train staff joined in the protests. The action cut off train service to Yangon.
Anti-military protests continue to erupt on a daily basis in all parts of Burma, including Moulmein in Mon State, and almost all work sites have been shut down.
