Myanmar anti-junta protests biggest in 20 years

burmaMonks.jpg

YANGON – Tens of thousands of people joined Buddhist monks on marches in Myanmar's former capital on Monday in the biggest demonstration against the ruling generals since they crushed student-led protests nearly 20 years ago.

"I'm very excited and frankly I'm worried too," a teacher said as she watched the massed opposition in Yangon to 45 years of army rule that has impoverished the Southeast Asian nation of 53 million people.

Continue reading with 19 pictures

FOLLOWUP I:

Burmese military threatens monks

Burma's ruling military junta has warned it is ready to "take action" against Buddhist monks leading mounting protests, state media have reported.  

Read more at the BBC

FOLLOWUP II:

Burmese protesters defy warning
   
Buddhist monks march down a street in protest in Rangoon, 25 September 2007
Monks have called for political prisoners to be freed

Some chanted "we want dialogue". Others simply shouted "democracy, democracy".

Earlier, lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be "dispersed by military force". 

Read more at the BBC

 FOLLOWUP III:

Riot police 'beat' Burmese monks

Read more at the BBC