Protestors march against TIME
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Myanmar Times ^ | 02 July 2013 | Kayleigh Long
Protestors converged on Yangon's downtown area on Sunday, June 30, marching in a show of opposition to TIME magazine's July cover story, 'The Face of Buddhist Terror'.
Protestors march in downtown Yangon on June 30. Photo: Kayleigh LongProtestors march in downtown Yangon on June 30. Photo: Kayleigh Long
Protestors converged on Yangon's downtown area on Sunday, June 30, marching in a show of opposition to Time magazine's July cover story, 'The Face of Buddhist Terror'.
A crowd of several hundred sporting banners, placards and Buddhist flags participated in the march from near Sule Pagoda in Yangon, protesting TIME magazine's cover story 'The Face of Buddhist Terror', which documents the rise of Buddhist nationalism in Myanmar, as well as sectarian clashes occuring in Sri Lanka and Thailand's south.
The procession began after 1pm at Sule, comprised of monks and laypeople alike, making its way around Mahabandoola Park before returning to the gathering point where the crowd was addressed and led in prayer by U Maung Maung of the Theravada Dhamma Network.
The rally attracted many onlookers, some of whom followed the procession. Many stood by and took photos and footage on mobile phones. The police presence was relatively minor, with a riot gear-equipped unit standing by in a lane off Pansodan St.
Event organiser, Dhamma Sekka U Maung Maung of the Theravada Dhamma Network and representative of the Buddhist Nationalist Party, said the aim of the rally was twofold: to protest the portrayal of nationalist monk Wirathu as a terrorist, and to support the Thein Sein government's decision to enstate a ban on Time's July edition.
U Maung Maung said the rally was somewhat last-minute and fell short of the 1000-plus crowd he had hoped would attend – due at least in part to the fact that the event was not widely publicised, as official permission to congregate under the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law only came through on the afternoon of Friday, June 28.
Hannah Beech's TIME article had been translated from English and read to monks in the Theravada Dhamma Network, he said. The magazine has an faced immense online backlash following the publication of the story, including a petition and innumerable Facebook posts. DVB reported a demonstration is planned for July 5 at TIME's New York headquarters.
The presence of nationalist 969 paraphernalia was apparent at the rally with many protestors wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the logo, and stickers being distributed to onlookers.
U Maung Maung voiced his support for U Wirathu, as well as the 969 movement.
"It supports the country's ideologies and protects the country from whatever threats there are", he said.
A man holds a sign saying 'Buddhism is not terrorism' at Sule on June 30.A man holds a sign saying 'Buddhism is not terrorism' at Sule on June 30.
Participants in the march carried signs in both Myanmar and English language, with slogans including 'Buddhism is not Terrorism', 'Protect the national interests collectively', and 'Buddhism is a religion which allows religious freedom. Some took a more specific focus in denouncing TIME magazine and the article's author Hannah Beech, while others highlighted support for U Thein Sein and 969 campaign figurehead U Wirathu.
Speaking with the Democratic Voice of Burnma, Magwe monk Parmouhka said the driving force behind the march was to promote understanding of Buddhism.
"We would like to practically inform the people in Burma and across the world – both in Burmese and English – that Buddhism is not a religion of terror and that it doesn’t allow or encourage killing", he told DVB. |
