8888 anniversary

Today is the 20 year anniversary of the 8888 Uprising in Burma.

The resignation of General Ne Win, leader of the socialist ruling party in Burma, brought mass demonstrations for democratization to a climax. August 8, 1988 marked the official beginning of the so-called Four Eights Uprising by students and Buddhist monks. The uprising ended on September 18, after Tadmadaw soldiers sprayed automatic rifle fire into crowds of protesters. Other demonstrators were carried away in trucks and never seen again. Human rights groups say at least 3,000 people were killed.

Aung San Suu Kyi entered politics to work for democratization, helped found the National League for Democracy on 27 September 1988, and was put under house arrest on 20 July 1989. She was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused.

Take a moment today to think of the struggles of others for basic rights.