25th February, 2021 #Day25

 The counter-protest of military supporters in Yangon and their hostility toward anti-coup protesters and local residents have dominated all the news today. The crowd was estimated to be a few thousands and the biggest rally since the coup. Since the historic 22222 mass demonstration on last Monday, security forces have closed down the downtown of Yangon. However, police were seen removing barriers and gates as pro-military protesters marched toward the city. Along the way, local residents banged pots and pans to show their rejection. The pro-military supporters responded by attacking them with knives, sticks, stones, and slingshots. CCTV footage near the Shengrila Hotel in the city showed that some pro-military protesters beat and stabbed a civilian. In addition, a group of pro-military supporters attacked anti-coup protesters with slingshots near Yangon Railway Station. In one incident, a pro-military supporter punched a journalist during interview. A number of people have been reportedly injured because of today’s attacks. Photos circulating on the social media show that some thugs getting out of a police car. As the pro-military crowd dispersed and prepared to march out of downtown Yangon in the evening, locals stopped and interrogated some of their vehicles, and found slingshots, sticks, and a list of items related to the USDP party which is led by the ex-generals and backed by the military. Some protesters said that they had been tricked into participating in the pro-military protest and that they would be sent on a pilgrimage or visit to the city. Many people claimed on their social media accounts that these people are paid between 3-5000 (AUD 3-5) per day to participate in pro-military rallies.

At 6 pm Myanmar time, hundreds of security forces stormed the protesters who were protesting against the military-appointed local administrator in Tamwe township of Yangon. Tear gas and gunfire were used against protesters (some people at the scene claimed that live rounds were fired, but it has not been confirmed yet). According to recent reports, police and the 77th light infantry division are in Tamwe Township and the entire township is cordoned off. It is not clear why Tamwe has been targeted, but some believe that it is an attempt to arrest Ei Thinzar Maung who live in the same township. She led the first street demonstration in Myanmar since the February 1 coup while people were urging to focus on CDM and refusing to go out to streets. According to people close to her, she just left her residence and safe. This 26-years-old girl was a candidate of the Democratic Party of a New Society (DPNS) in the 2020 election and she was put into jail in 2015 for protesting against the National Eduation Law which is considered as highly centralized and limiting academic freedom.

In response to the coup government's warning not to use the term “junta” or “regime,” about 40 local media outlets announced that according to Article 354 (a) of the 2008 constitution, Article 4 (a) of the Media Law, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they will not comply with the coup government's request and will use whatever term they like. The Free Funeral Service Society (Yangon), an influential civil society organization in Myanmar, has announced that it will no longer provide its free funeral services to police and military families.

Justice for Myanmar, which often exposes the Tatmadaw businesses and its ties with foreign companies, has claimed to the Monetary Authority of Singapore that the Myanmar government has US $ 5.7 billion of foreign reserves in three Singaporean banks. It demanded the MAS not to allow junta to use those money. However, the MAS refused to comment about the Myanmar’s foreign reserves but it said that there are “no significant funds” of Myanmar companies and individuals in Singapore. The World Bank has banned the current Myanmar junta from withdrawing money. According to a letter from WB’s country director to Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry, Myanmar will not be allowed to withdraw money from the WB from 1 February and the funding for the WB’s projects will also be seized.

The Tatmadaw’s envoy U Wunna Maung Lwin, a former colonel, met with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today, and the Thai side told the media that the meeting was not an "endoresement" for the military regime. Protesters, however, protested in front of the Thai embassy in Yangon. News of the meeting between these two coup governments has prompted an online campaign between young protesters between the two countries to launch the Milk tea alliance on Sunday 28 February. Facebook bans more pages related to the military today. Facebook announced that it will take down the military related pages from Facebook and Instagram and also ban paid advertisements on these pages. According to a UN report released in 2018, Facebook played a great role in inciting violence against the Rohingya community and it allowed the military to spread propaganda against the community on its platform.