A coalition of nine trade unions in Myanmar held a general strike and market walkout on Monday (March 8, 2021) in a bid to support the popular movement against the military coup and to put pressure on the military government.
In a joint statement, the coalition said, “Continuing economic and business activities as usual will only help the military to suppress the energy of the Burmese people. Now is the Time to act to defend our democracy.”
In Yangon, the largest city, stores, factories and banks were closed as people continued to rally despite large numbers of security forces. There were also popular rallies in Mandalay, the second largest city, and in the western city of Monywa.
Reuters reported that on International Women’s Day, Myanmar protesters waved colorful flags made from women’s sarong costumes or hung these decorations in the streets to express their discontent with the military government.
The protesters experienced another day of bloody clashes with police and the military before the general strike and strike in the city. Military and police also occupied hospitals in Yangon.
The U.S. and other Western countries have imposed limited sanctions on the Burmese military government. Australia also announced Sunday it was breaking off defense exchanges with Burma, saying it would only interact with nongovernmental organizations there.
State Department spokesman Price said last Wednesday that the U.S. has called on China to use their influence constructively to advance the interests of the Burmese people.
China has not condemned the Burmese junta’s bloody crackdown on protesters or urged the military to restore a democratically elected government to power, instead urging the international community to respect Burma’s sovereignty.
Beijing officials said Sunday that China is ready to engage with all sides to ease the crisis in Myanmar, adding that it will not choose sides in the crisis.
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