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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Burma group hold prisoner protest | Burma group hold prisoner protest |
| (4 days later) | |
| A group of activists have begun what they hope will be a week-long prayer vigil in Burma to call for the release of the country's political prisoners. | A group of activists have begun what they hope will be a week-long prayer vigil in Burma to call for the release of the country's political prisoners. |
| About 1,000 people, wearing white and carrying candles, gathered at the Buddhist Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon. | About 1,000 people, wearing white and carrying candles, gathered at the Buddhist Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon. |
| The detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is among those whose release they are seeking. | The detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is among those whose release they are seeking. |
| Public protests and campaigns are rare in Burma, which is ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes. | Public protests and campaigns are rare in Burma, which is ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes. |
| The activists and their supporters were prevented from actually entering the pagoda by security officials. | The activists and their supporters were prevented from actually entering the pagoda by security officials. |
| Instead, a brief prayer service was held in a public area just outside. | Instead, a brief prayer service was held in a public area just outside. |
| I am not afraid... Not even a bit... Because we are just expressing our goodwill and sharing our love, there is no reason for the authorities to arrest us Jimmy, campaign organiser | I am not afraid... Not even a bit... Because we are just expressing our goodwill and sharing our love, there is no reason for the authorities to arrest us Jimmy, campaign organiser |
| The student group organising the prayer campaign is known as the 1988 Generation. It takes its name from the mass national student uprising that year, when the Burmese army intervened to end calls for a return to civilian rule. | The student group organising the prayer campaign is known as the 1988 Generation. It takes its name from the mass national student uprising that year, when the Burmese army intervened to end calls for a return to civilian rule. |
| On Friday, the group asked leaders of other religious organisations in Burma to hold vigils at their own places of worship, from today until 4 November. | On Friday, the group asked leaders of other religious organisations in Burma to hold vigils at their own places of worship, from today until 4 November. |
| One of the organisers, who gave his name only as "Jimmy", told the BBC they were not afraid of being arrested. | One of the organisers, who gave his name only as "Jimmy", told the BBC they were not afraid of being arrested. |
| "I am not afraid of it. Not even a bit. We want peace and we treasure it. Because we are just expressing our goodwill and sharing our love, there is no reason for the authorities to arrest us." | "I am not afraid of it. Not even a bit. We want peace and we treasure it. Because we are just expressing our goodwill and sharing our love, there is no reason for the authorities to arrest us." |
| The United Nations believes that at least 1,000 political prisoners are held in Burmese jails or under house arrest. | The United Nations believes that at least 1,000 political prisoners are held in Burmese jails or under house arrest. |
| The activists want them all released, including the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi. | The activists want them all released, including the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi. |