Group of young protesters, maybe 100 or a bit more, have been trapped by the military and police in the neighbourhood. Police and soldiers, some in uniforms some in civilian cloths have fully cordoned the whole neighbourhood and have prepared to do thorough search of all apartments, to find and arrest young activists hiding in the people’s apartments. It has been terrifying situation for those trapped inside and for all their friends and supporters outside. That was plan of security forces (that junta has transformed in terrorist forces), to frozen and paralyze everybody with fear and than to do the slow search. It could be demoralizing defeat of the movement.

It turned another way around. Social media all around Yangon and whole country heated up as a matter of minutes. Whole city was alerted. San Chaung residents did not freak from fear. They stick together and continue to hide and protect young protesters. Residents of other neighbourhoods gathered on the streets and started to move in big numbers in directions toward San Chaung, creating blockade around police cordons in San Chaung. Noise they have been creating is full of anger and determination. Western embassies and UN issued statements few hours after the crisis started calling for restrain and removal of troops from the neighbourhood.

Police on few occasions start to regain control over situation through random shooting. Again, it did not work. The stand-off lasted the whole night, however, police was successfully distracted from making the search and raids of apartments. Some people have been arrested, but far smaller number than police hoped for.

When the morning came, young activists who have been trapped in San Chaung have been already on safe places in other parts of the city. It was remarkable victory of the Movement and the People.

Young activists issued statement in the morning that said:

“Young people would like to express their gratitude to the houses and families in Sanchaung. We, the protesters, have our freedom and life due to the People who protected us. We are praising family members of each household who bravely protected the youth and the protesters. We are also enormously grateful to the residents of other neighbourhoods who left safety of their houses at night and put pressure on the police and soldiers on the streets. The courage and unity of the people of the other townships has ben demonstrated. They screamed loudly to make noises. The actions of these townships gave a lot of emotional strength to those trapped in Sanchaung. Police and military terrorist have been surrounded, not us. They came under pressure, not us. They have been afraid, not we.

Our Victory is in Togetherness and Unity of the People.”

Igor Blaževič