Resisting a Coup: A Discussion with a Burmese Pro-Democracy Activist

On February 1, 2021, the internet across Burma’s major cities was shut down in what was the first step of the Burmese military seizing control of the Southeast Asian country in a military coup. Like millions of his fellow angry citizens, McCain Institute Next Generation Leader Zaw Tu Hkwang took to the street to protests against the Junta, and has remained vigilant in the following weeks. He recently joined McCain Institute Senior Director for Human Rights & Democracy Paul Fagan to discuss the youth-led protests against a return to military rule and how the international community can best help restore democracy.

Watch or listen to the entire event below. You can also tune into the audio-only podcast version of the event via iTunes or Spotify.

Episode Highlights

What Prompted this Youth-Led Movement?
“I would say it’s a huge difference because now, when you see all of the demonstrators they are what we call Generation Z. They are young people, they are very creative, they are tech savvy. And the day they shut down the internet, you see a lot of gamers and those who aren’t interested in politics, they took to the street to burst out their anger and their pain. That is the huge difference I would say.”

Why Can’t the Military Shut Down the Internet Entirely?
“This current military coup, they are not just politically powerful they are economically powerful as well. So they have to run their own business as well so it is impossible for them to shut it all down. It will not only affect us it will affect them as well.”

How Can the Global Community Help Burma?
“The people of Myanmar are very much encouraged, pleased and delighted to see the Biden Administration’s actions. They really condemned and the next day you see people holding President Joe Biden signs saying ‘thank you for standing with us and please save us’ and stuff like that. Very first step we are very encouraged and pleased and thank you for doing that.”