2021 Myanmar coup d’état
On Feb. 1, Myanmar’s military detained State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint in the country’s first coup since 1988, bringing an end to a decade of civilian rule. Myanmar returned to full military rule following a coup. Civilian leaders, activists, and writers were arrested; while telecommunications, internet and flights were shut down.
Myanmar woke up on Monday, February 22, In Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, tens of thousands gathered in the hot sun, activists urging all citizens to join the protest, They dub it 22222 based on the date, Feb. 22. Similar scenes were reported in cities and towns across the country.
Monday’s 22222 protests are the latest in a nearly month-long civil disobedience campaign that erupted in response to the February 1 takeover by Myanmar’s military that saw the country’s civilian leaders detained and ended the country’s decade-long experiment with quasi-democratic governance.
The international community has also condemned the Myanmar coup. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military takeover and called for the release of all detainees in remarks to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.