Posters, and then no posters
As the strategies of the protesters changes according to the violence being inflicted upon them from the security forces, our funding also is adjusted to ensure that it continues to be useful and relevant to the actual needs on the ground. For example, February was a month of protests, with millions going out together in every city in Myanmar. When the violence started, more began to stay home; when the killing started, it was mainly youth going out; and when the military began responding in force, everyone stayed home.
Earlier in March, while it was no longer possible to take the streets, signs alone could still represent the people’s wishes. So at this time there was a need to fund the printing of these signs. However, the deadly cat-and-mouse games continued, as printing shops were forced closed and printers arrested or killed (as reported earlier, there are suddenly no newspapers left in Myanmar). Where printing could still occur, posters had to be put up in the middle of the night instead during the day.
But additionally, spies began to infiltrate the printing operations and so increasingly secretive locations had to be found to create and store materials. Protesters further innovated by not printing anything, but rather carrying red-painted “fake blood” and scrawling messages along walls. But even this became too dangerous.
So all this brings us back to where donation funds are best applied— while not so long ago, funding mass printing was a priority, now even this is far too dangerous for anyone to engage in.
So as the protesters continue to find new ways to show their resistance to the military takeover while keeping themselves safe, we do our part to ensure they have sufficient funds for supporting what they need. We are listening to what those on the ground are telling us, and doing our best to provide as far as our fund allows. Your generosity is helping them get through these terrible days, and although you may never meet them in person, it is you providing that lifeline.
Below are some of the photos of the earlier funding of posters, which now are no longer possible.
