Opponents of the coup in Myanmar splash red paint and dye on roads and signs outside government offices on Wednesday to represent the blood of people killed in protest against the junta on the second day of the traditional New Year holiday.
The display aimed at shaming the military took place in several towns and cities, according to photos posted by media outlets, when people responded to a call from activists to take part in what they called a bloody paint attack.
Some people marched with signs calling for the release of the leader of the deposed government, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. She has been jailed on several charges since the Feb. 1 coup, including violating an official nondisclosure agreement that could put her in prison for 14 years.
Her lawyers have denied the charges against her.
“Please save our leader – hope for the future,” read a sign with a photo of Suu Kyi held by a young woman among several thousand people marching in Mandalay’s second city, according to a photo published by the Mizzima news service.
There were no direct reports of violence at any of the protests on Wednesday, but information has become scarce due to the junta on the internet.
The coup has plunged Myanmar into crisis after 10 years of tentative steps towards democracy with daily protests and several campaigns of resistance, including strikes by workers in many sectors that have brought the economy to a standstill.
The five-day New Year’s holiday known as Thingyan kicked off Tuesday, but pro-democracy activists canceled the usual festivities to focus on their opposition to the generals who seized power.
The military says the protests are diminishing. Activists have scheduled several shows of resistance every day during the holiday, which ends on Saturday.
An activist group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, says the security forces have killed 710 protesters since the ousting of Suu Kyi’s government.
The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday it feared that the military approach to the protests risks escalating into a civil conflict like the one seen in Syria.
‘COURAGE AND COMMITMENT’
The United States and other Western countries have imposed limited sanctions targeting the military. Neighbors in Southeast Asia have encouraged talks between the Myanmar parties, but without progress.
US Ambassador to Myanmar, Thomas Vajda, said in a New Year’s message that he was aware that many people were making sacrifices and suffering for their beliefs and beliefs in these “very difficult times.”
“I am deeply impressed by your courage and dedication,” said Vajda.
“Let me also reaffirm the commitment of my colleagues and I … to do all we can to support the people of Myanmar in your pursuit of true democracy, peace and freedom.”
Josep Borrell, head of the European Union’s foreign policy, said this week that Russia and China, which have close ties to the military, are blocking a unified response to the coup, including attempts to impose an arms embargo.
The UN Security Council has called for the release of Suu Kyi and others, but has not condemned the coup.
Minor blasts have gone off in several places in recent days with the last two explosions in the central city of Monywa on Wednesday injuring one person, the Monywa Gazette reported.
There are no claims for liability.
The coup has also sparked hostilities in ancient conflicts between the military and the armed forces of ethnic minorities fighting for autonomy in border regions.
Government forces had suffered heavy casualties this week in an attack on ethnic Kachin forces in the north, the Myanmar Now media group reported.
A junta spokesperson was not available for comment.
Reporting by Reuters staff, written by Robert Birsel; Editing by Jane Wardell and Alison Williams