Young protesters in Myanmar say no to dictatorship, yes to boyfriend


Some young Myanmar protesters are making witty and relatable signages that have been shared thousands of times on social media as they continue with their protest against the  military coup.

Myanmar women in wedding gowns holds up placards during a demonstration against the February 1 military coup in Yangon on February 10, 2021. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

A group of women also paraded around in taffeta and lace wedding gowns to join the demonstration with a placard saying: "I don't want a dictatorship, I just want a boyfriend.”

"My ex is bad, but Myanmar military is worse,” another said.

On Tuesday, a bride and groom in wedding attire even took to the streets hand in hand, with a sign saying "our wedding can wait but not this movement.”

One demonstrator's poster also said the situation is so bad, "even the introverts are here."

This social media savvy campaign "is a new, creative type of protesting for Myanmar," said Htaike Htaike Aung, executive director of Myanmar ICT for Development, a Yangon-based digital rights group.

Police security forces had earlier ratcheted up the use of force against protesters, deploying tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.

On Tuesday, the military raided the national headquarters of Suu Kyi’s party, which, before the military seized power, had been slated to take power for a second five-year term. (With a report from AFP)