Myanmar Journal: Unrest in the Streets
The following thread was written yesterday by a vipassana meditator from the tradition of S.N. Goenka who is currently in Myanmar, who has played a pivotal role in the organization’s mission. For his safety, personal details have been obscured, but he has made it his desire that his observations be read by meditators everywhere.
As you can probably imagine, communication has been one of the more challenging things for me in the past few weeks. At issue is my safety as well as the safety of those around me. These days you can be imprisoned for the most spurious of reasons. Two friends have been of great comfort and help in keeping my communications safe.
At this point I feel reasonably secure and now have several layers of security built in with multiple devices, passwords, phone #s, ISPs, email addresses etc. This is in itself creates numerous challenges as I try to recall passwords and which device or phone #, computer or sim card I use for which transmission. I have tiny little pieces of paper hidden all over not just at my apartment but other places as well. And of course I have to remember where those are as well!
I subject myself to all of this because it is important that others know what is actually happening here and what the people of Myanmar are going through. The daily news cannot possibly cover it all. I believe that the more people know of the situation here the more likely we can get assistance from outside. Without pressure and support from sources outside of Myanmar the struggle here becomes all the more difficult. A case in point how a simple act can be so powerful; on approximately day 3 of the coup an apparently famous actor or singer from the U.S. or UK posted a message on Twitter expressing her sadness and support of the MM people. People here were so happy to get this message from her. The response and gratitude from the people here was amazing especially given the fact that I have no idea whatsoever who this person is. (her name is something like Rhiannon). Such a small act but sooo powerful. People here desperately want the rest of the world to know of the injustices and violence being visited upon them each and every day. Each day they plead with the UN, US, AUS, UK and Japan for help. When a representative of any of these countries speak out it gets the attention of everyone here and they are so appreciative.
There is so little I can do to help here and it is one of the things I experience guilt and frustration over each day. One way I can help is by trying to explain what life is now like here. The struggles, and the fears they face each and every day. Few of us know what it is like going to bed at night with the intense fear that tonight could be the night that the trucks pull up in front and take you away. Waking up with the first thought being that I survived another night.
I do what I can. To turn my back on what is occurring here is something I could never live with. People here are begging for help. I think most understand assistance from outside is needed for this movement to be successful. It is just all so sad. Not a day goes by where I don’t well up with tears. I just cannot figure out how things like all of this can happen.
Just interrupted; A neighbor, a woman in her 80’s, just came from across the street delivering a meal to us. She is doing so for all in our Quarter who have supported the CDM in memory of the person who was shot and killed the other night. I tried to return it in hopes it would be passed on to others more needy and worthy but she wouldn’t hear of it. More than ever I look for the positives in all of this and one thing is that people have grown closer and are more patient with one another. That’s so nice.
What I ask, in fact encourage, is that what I send be shared with as many as possible but please, do not associate my name with it. If someone should ask of the source the best answer would be “someone in Myanmar”. Not the country of origin nor the city where I reside. I know that it will not be difficult for some to figure out the source but I ask that you do not confirm their suspicions.
These are incredibly sad times here. The tears start to fill up as I think of this. The bravery, courage and commitment of the people here is just amazing. Most impressive is their commitment to a non-violent movement. Here where I am I have not seen a single example of violence on the part of the CMD people. Up north it is slightly different. I have seen one situation where a hundred or so protestors threw plastic water bottles at retreating police trucks as well as a few instances where bricks and stones were thrown at police. And two other instances where a few people used sling shots. Understand that the folks up north have suffered the worst of the torment and brutality. I understand their frustration and anger. How far can a person be pushed? I am seeing more and more people carrying sticks but these are more for defensive purposes. I have never seen nor heard of a single instance where someone was struck. When speaking to people here I always talk of the great importance in remaining peaceful and to a person they understand and agree.
I have seen 5,000 kyat people that came into our quarter to hurt people but were caught by our new security team and detained and questioned. As angry as security was they never once harmed these people in any way.
I have seen police return to their barracks one time and apparently forgot two of their vehicles which were now in the middle of the protestors. Not a soul laid a hand on either of these vehicles. How long would those vehicles have lasted elsewhere in the world before they were just a ball of flames??
Every group of police or soldiers typically has a photographer. In one situation the police left an area but the police photographer didn’t realize the others were leaving and he was soon by himself. He became surrounded by a dozen or so CMD people that just started to photograph him. They did not hurl any abuses or in any way threaten or detain him. When they tired of photographing him they just left and the policeman hurried along. In many places such a situation would have resulted in a badly beaten policeman or worse.
These are the kinds of things I have seen and heard. I do my very best to be as objective as possible. How long these peaceful and commendable responses will keep up is anyone’s guess. I think we all have a breaking point.
I apologize that the above is so poorly written and hard to follow. My 6th grade grammar teacher would be very disappointed. I’m sorry. I am sooooooooooooooo exhausted. My brain is painfully full. Even meditating has become a painful experience. But I am not going to go through this doc again and will send as is knowing that you will understand.
As I close this out it is only 9:45 on Saturday morning and in Myinyagone, Hlaidan and elsewhere the police have already begun arresting and shooting citizens! Previously this was the kind of thing you would only seen in the afternoon or under cover of darkness. At the same time, 100 yards outside of my window, thousands begin to march by as they do each and every day.
And as I am about to hit ‘send’, police just now arrive in our Quarter. Don’t know what they are up to. Two nights ago the citizens took back control of another office in Yangon. I am told the police have just taken it back. As the police leave I hear one of my neighbors say “it’s ok……..tonight we will take it again”.
Dote Ayae, Dote Ayae