On Feb 1st, early in the morning around 3am, the Myanmar military led by General Min Aung Hlaing attempted a coup by detaining our state counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, elected officials of the 2020 general election and civilian leaders. Confusion, fear and hatred spread rapidly and it's difficult to put all of those into words. Some have worked years and decades building their livelihoods, businesses and most importantly their families.
In just a few days, it felt like everything was all being taken away. It's heartbreaking to potentially see another dark time in our history repeat itself but this darkness doesn't need to divide us. We couldn't let this confusion, fear and hatred break us like it used to back in 1988 and 2007. Ever since the start of the coup, over 200 brave souls have been taken by the hands of vicious Military junta during deadly crackdowns on peaceful anti-coup protests and unlawful raids into civilians' homes.
The death tolls are increasing exponentially and among the casualties, the 16-25 age group, who should be studying, chasing their dreams are the highest amounting up to 85, the youngest being only at 14 years old. These casualties aren't just numbers for us as they could always be our loved ones, family members, friends and acquaintances. At this rate, we could potentially have over 300 death tolls by the end of March if these atrocities and crimes against humanities aren't intervened by the UN and other countries.
Civil servants across the country have started the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) since the start of February to show resistance against military authority and administration. Civilians are also supporting those civil servants, who have joined CDM, in hopes of crippling the country's economy under this military regime. The military administration has been arresting those participating and leading CDM, by illegally raiding their houses at night. Some civil servants are sent with threats of dismissal from their jobs. Some are shot and brutally killed by military soldiers and police. Still, there are thousands of civil servants across the country who choose to continue participating in CDM. They need support for daily livelihood as well as protection from the inhumane military regime.
Non-civil servants, the general public who depend on themselves on their own livelihood, many staffs and workers from other organisations and companies, have also chosen to participate in CDM in the fight for freedom. Bankers who are working in privately-owned banks are an example. Most of them are doing no-salary CDM and it's difficult for them to find financial support to sustain livelihood as most of the local organisations are prioritising civil servants for CDM support. Some of the bankers I know of, are staying in dorms and poor living conditions, away from their hometown and families. Some of their families are depending solely on their month-to-month paycheques, barely able to sustain themselves. Thus, it's difficult for them to cope with their livelihoods during these difficult times, as well.
This fundraiser is to support the Civil Disobedience Movement as well as to provide aid to those families who have lost their loved ones. Currently, we will be supporting CDM bankers who are working in privately-owned banks. More beneficiaries will be added in the future as the fundraiser proceeds. With greater financial support, we will be able to reach out to more general public in need of financial support for their brave fight to achieve human rights and democracy in Myanmar (Burma) and in justice for the families of courageous fallen heroes.
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