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Burma march 'largest in 20 years' | Burma march 'largest in 20 years' |
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Burma's largest anti-government protest in nearly two decades has taken place in the former capital Rangoon, led by Buddhist monks and nuns. | Burma's largest anti-government protest in nearly two decades has taken place in the former capital Rangoon, led by Buddhist monks and nuns. |
Up to 20,000 people took to the streets on the seventh day of protests calling for an end to the "evil dictatorship". | Up to 20,000 people took to the streets on the seventh day of protests calling for an end to the "evil dictatorship". |
Unlike a day earlier, police barred a group of monks from entering the road that leads to the home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | Unlike a day earlier, police barred a group of monks from entering the road that leads to the home of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. |
The rallies began last month when the government doubled fuel prices. | The rallies began last month when the government doubled fuel prices. |
BBC South Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says every day the protests are growing in size - the campaign the monks began just six days ago is now openly challenging the military, urging all citizens to join in. | BBC South Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says every day the protests are growing in size - the campaign the monks began just six days ago is now openly challenging the military, urging all citizens to join in. |
Barricades | Barricades |
A huge column of demonstrators made its way through the heart of the city, following an identical route to that used during the failed anti-military uprising in 1988. | A huge column of demonstrators made its way through the heart of the city, following an identical route to that used during the failed anti-military uprising in 1988. |
There are no exact figures but the rally was estimated to be 20,000 strong. | There are no exact figures but the rally was estimated to be 20,000 strong. |
Ms Suu Kyi can be seen behind the police greeting protesters Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi | |
Our correspondent says the mood was relaxed, even euphoric, with thousands of civilians joining Buddhist monks and nuns, and chanting the key demands of this campaign - reconciliation with the opposition, the release of political prisoners and lower prices. | Our correspondent says the mood was relaxed, even euphoric, with thousands of civilians joining Buddhist monks and nuns, and chanting the key demands of this campaign - reconciliation with the opposition, the release of political prisoners and lower prices. |
Apparently unsure what to do, the security forces appear to be standing back for the moment and the next act in the drama is impossible to predict, says our correspondent. | Apparently unsure what to do, the security forces appear to be standing back for the moment and the next act in the drama is impossible to predict, says our correspondent. |
Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said America was "watching very carefully" the protests and denounced Burma's "brutal regime". | Speaking on the sidelines of a UN meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said America was "watching very carefully" the protests and denounced Burma's "brutal regime". |
"The Burmese people deserve better. They deserve the right to be able to live in freedom, just as everyone does." | "The Burmese people deserve better. They deserve the right to be able to live in freedom, just as everyone does." |
The head of regional grouping Asean, Ong Keng Yong said he hoped the Burmese authorities would not take any strong action "and turn the protests into a big confrontation". | The head of regional grouping Asean, Ong Keng Yong said he hoped the Burmese authorities would not take any strong action "and turn the protests into a big confrontation". |
Ms Suu Kyi emerged tearfully on Saturday from the home where she has been under house arrest since 2003 to pray with the monks, after they were allowed through a roadblock. | Ms Suu Kyi emerged tearfully on Saturday from the home where she has been under house arrest since 2003 to pray with the monks, after they were allowed through a roadblock. |
But on Sunday the barricades were firmly back in place and there was a heavy security presence near the democracy icon's home to prevent a repeat protest march past. | But on Sunday the barricades were firmly back in place and there was a heavy security presence near the democracy icon's home to prevent a repeat protest march past. |
Prayer vigils | Prayer vigils |
Witnesses said the crowds formed a protective human chain, as the monks and nuns set off from Burma's most famous landmark, the revered Shwedagon Pagoda. | Witnesses said the crowds formed a protective human chain, as the monks and nuns set off from Burma's most famous landmark, the revered Shwedagon Pagoda. |
In pictures: Burma rallies Profile: Shwedagon Pagoda | In pictures: Burma rallies Profile: Shwedagon Pagoda |
Some demonstrators chanted "Release Suu Kyi" as they continued to the nearby Sule Pagoda, before passing the US embassy. | Some demonstrators chanted "Release Suu Kyi" as they continued to the nearby Sule Pagoda, before passing the US embassy. |
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms Suu Kyi has spent 11 of the last 18 years in detention. | Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ms Suu Kyi has spent 11 of the last 18 years in detention. |
In 1990 her party won national elections, but these were annulled by the army and she was never allowed to take office. | In 1990 her party won national elections, but these were annulled by the army and she was never allowed to take office. |
On Friday, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, which is leading the demonstrations, vowed to continue until they had "wiped the military dictatorship from the land". | On Friday, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, which is leading the demonstrations, vowed to continue until they had "wiped the military dictatorship from the land". |
The monks have urged the Burmese people to hold prayer vigils in their doorways for 15 minutes at 2000 (1330 GMT) on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. | The monks have urged the Burmese people to hold prayer vigils in their doorways for 15 minutes at 2000 (1330 GMT) on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. |
Scores of nuns joined more than 2,000 monks in prayer on Sunday at the Shwedagon Pagoda, before marching to the centre of Rangoon. | Scores of nuns joined more than 2,000 monks in prayer on Sunday at the Shwedagon Pagoda, before marching to the centre of Rangoon. |
Are you taking part in the protests? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. | Are you taking part in the protests? Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences. |
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |