The unfolding situation in Myanmar has now reached all-time highs as the nation marks 100 days since being taken over by the military
In the latest development, Myanmar security forces have fired shots and arrested about 30 people at an anti-coup rally in the country’s second-biggest city of Mandalay.
Protesters, continuing kept defying a months-long crackdown by a junta struggling to impose order.
Chaos erupted in Mandalay, a hotbed of anti-military sentiment when plainclothed police emerged from vehicles minutes into a protest, firing guns and beating demonstrators who fell as hundreds fled.
The nation is also known as Burma and remains in a political crisis all the while the nation’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained.
Democracy For Buma
The Democracy for Burma (#D4B) campaign started in Sydney Australia in late February 2021.
All five of the campaign founders have lived and worked in Burma over the last 20 years. Since the February 1st coup, they have all seen their family, friends and work colleagues in Burma suffer at the hands of the brutal Burmese military (the Tatmadaw).
Democracy in Burma is no more. Burmese Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seized control of power, detained many of the democratically elected leaders and embarked on a brutal and bloody crackdown.
The D4B campaign comes in response to this injustice.
In Sydney, D4B will hold a Semiotics of Protest: A Burmese Inspired Protest Art Exhibition in association with The Art Syndicate gallery in 344 Bourke Street, Surry Hills. The exhibition will open on Sunday 16th May 2021. Funds raised will go to supply emergency medical supplies badly needed in Burma.
Running concurrently with the exhibition, D4B will host a series of weekly panel discussions, which will form the basis of a 4-part Podcast Series called the ‘D4B Debates’. Hosted by Shane Brady, D4B is lining up 3 expert panellists each week to discuss: The background to the Feb 1st coup, the National Unity Government & CRPH, Australia’s role in Burma and the Humanitarian Assistance to Burma.
Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives have suffered defeat in two parliamentary by-elections
UK Conservatives have lost two crucial seats in England, which could spark concerns about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s future.
The centrist Liberal Democrat party won the seats of Tiverton and Honiton.
The seats are in a Conservative part of south-west England, where a majority of 24,000 has been overturned.
The Liberal Democrats say it is their biggest ever majority turn around at a parliamentary by election.
“Tonight, the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain. They’ve sent a loud and clear message: It’s time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now.”
winning candidate Richard Foord
The losses have renewed calls for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after a police investigation into gatherings at his Downing Street offices.
Johnson recently survived a vote of no-confidence, which secured his term as Prime Minister for another 12 months.
It also follows the Conservatives winning a landslide majority in three decades during the last national election.
Protesters are causing disruptions during an address by China’s Ambassador to Australia
Xiao Qian is in Sydney, where is he speaking about how to improve ties between the two countries.
One protester described Mr Xiao as a “representative of a dictatorship” and accused the Chinese Government of committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims.
Others were heard shouting “Free Tibet”, and another was asked to leave the venue prior to the event because he was dressed in a military costume.
The speech was widely seen as an attempt to ease relations between the two countries.
China has put trade sanctions on Australia, while a recent encounter took place between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian maritime aircraft over the South China Sea.
Security guards reportedly ushered the protesters.