On June 19, a protest group called ‘Pistol Shooting Strike’ hung a banner reading ’80 Love You’ in Yangon’s Mayangone Township to commemorate Aung San Suu Kyi’s 80th birthday. The banner was displayed at 1:30 PM on the pedestrian bridge near Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, between Kabar Aye Pagoda and Gamone Pwint Shopping Center. This act represents the public’s continued support for the State Counsellor who has been detained since the military coup.
The military council implemented strict security measures to prevent any birthday celebrations for Aung San Suu Kyi. According to scout groups who monitored various locations, plainclothes security personnel and informants were stationed at pagodas and religious sites to prevent any birthday prayer ceremonies from taking place. Despite these restrictions, people continue to show their respect and support for Aung San Suu Kyi through various means of expression.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently being held in detention by the military council and has been sentenced to prison terms on multiple charges that are widely considered politically motivated. However, the majority of Myanmar’s people maintain their trust and confidence in her leadership, continuing their struggle for democracy. The display of the ’80 Love You’ banner on her birthday represents the unwavering public support for the democratic leader while standing in opposition to the military dictatorship. This act of defiance demonstrates that despite the military’s attempts to suppress public demonstrations of support, the people’s dedication to democratic principles and their respect for Aung San Suu Kyi remains strong and undiminished.
