Burma Protests: the Situation on September 25

Rangoon; 9:00 p.m.—Detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was moved to the notorious Insein prison from her Rangoon lakeside home at University Avenue, the Reuters news agency reported. Meanwhile Britain's ambassador Mark Canning said in an interview with Reuters that Burma's defense ministry appeared to be leading the government's response to the protests, spearheaded by young Buddhist monks. "They both assured me that it would be dealt with in a "correct" fashion, whatever that means," he said.

Sittwe, Arakan State; 2 p.m.—About 500 monks reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) marched through Sittwe Township, Arakan State, on Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by about 8000 protesters, including Muslims. Three monks at the front of the procession held Buddhist flags and alms bowls turned symbolically upside down, according to an eyewitness. The demonstrators also called for democratic reform, the release of political prisoners and a reduction in commodity prices.

Mandalay, 4:30 p.m.—About 10,000 monks from several monasteries in Mandalay marched in a peaceful protest through the city on Tuesday, reciting the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to an eyewitness. Thousands of residents joined in the procession when it arrived at Mandalay’s famous market, Zay Cho.

Moulmein, Mon State; 1 p.m.—About 1,000 demonstrators, led by 400 monks, took part in a peaceful demonstration through Moulmein on Tuesday afternoon. According to a local witness, monks and abbots from five different monasteries joined the protests for the second day running and the city's university students also participated in the demonstration immediately after their exams. The monks and citizens of Moulmein began their march at the city’s main market, Zay Gyi and it is estimated that greater numbers will join the monks later today, according to the Mon News Agency.

Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division; 12:30 p.m.—About 1500 monks in Kyaukpadaung in Mandalay Division took part in a peaceful demonstration, accompanied by some 10,000 members of the general public, at 12:30 on Tuesday afternoon, according to a monk who was involved in the protest who spoke to The Irrawaddy. The witness said that the monks marched peacefully around the town, reciting the “Paritta Sutta” [a prayer for protection from evil or harm]. No crackdown by the Burmese authorities has been reported and no security guards showed up, said the monk.

Moenyin Township, Kachin State; 1 p.m.—About 50 monks marched through Moenyin Township, in Kachin State, on Tuesday afternoon, reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to a local resident. There are about 200 monks in residence in Moenyin.

Bamaw Township, Kachin State; 1 p.m.—More than 200 monks marched through Bamaw Township, Kachin State, on Tuesday afternoon, chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), a local resident reported. Some members of the National League for Democracy who wanted to join the demonstration were barred by senior monks, the resident said.

Rangoon; 3 p.m.—About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a peaceful demonstration through the center of Rangoon. They then gathered around Sule Pagoda and the nearby city hall. During the march, students lifted their own "fighting peacock flag," a symbol of the struggle against the military regime.

Mandalay; noon—Since early this morning soldiers have been taking up positions near Mandalay’s Yadanabon University, according to witnesses. Maj-Gen Khin Zaw, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, and Commander of Central Command, was escorted by security guards as he inspected the soldiers around Yadanabon University before he continued on to Masoeyein Monastery. In the morning the streets of Mandalay were covered in pamphlets warning citizens not to get involved in the demonstrations. The pamphlets, believed to have been distributed by the authorities, warned that serious consequences awaited those who participated in the protests and said that in the event of violence, “Buddhist people would suffer.”

Rangoon; 2:30 p.m.—Members of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament in Burma have released a statement encouraging the general public not to prevent the momentum of the current demonstrations, but to help strengthen the protests step by step. The statement also urged all different classes of people in Burma, such as students, youths and the general public to join hands in the fight for democracy.

Shwebo, Sagaing Division; 1 p.m.—About 200 monks in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division, took part in a peaceful demonstration, chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness), on Tuesday at about 1 p.m., according to a local resident. He said that ordinary citizens hadn’t joined in the protest and that although the authorities were following the march closely, there hadn’t been any disturbances.

Rangoon; 1:00 p.m.—About 5,000 monks assembled at Shwedagon Pagoda on Tuesday morning and began a demonstration march to Sule Pagoda in the city center. Several thousand people joined them en route, ignoring regime warnings not to take part. About 200 members of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy joined the demonstration.

Rangoon, 11:00 a.m.—Loudspeaker vehicles toured the streets of Rangoon on Tuesday morning, warning residents they faced legal action if they joined demonstrating monks or even just watched the protests. Residents reported seeing several military trucks take up positions outside Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda, as monks and demonstrators began to gather for the eighth day of demonstrations.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 24

Moulmein, Mon State; 1:00 p.m.—Thousands of monks and members of the public paraded through Moulmein on Monday afternoon. More than 1,000 monks accompanied by an estimated 4,000 members of the public began their march at the city’s main market, Zay Gyi, and many others, including dozens of university students, joined them on their way through Moulmein. Security forces followed the demonstration but did not intervene.

Rangoon; 4 p.m.—Buddhist monks have led at least 100,000 protesters through the streets of Rangoon on Monday. The demonstration began at noon at Shwedagon Pagoda and covered at least 8 km (5 miles) in its first few hours, passing by the old campus of Rangoon University, a hotbed of protest in times past. Students, artists and members of parliament who were elected in 1990 were seen joining in Monday's march, witnesses said.

Pakokku, Magway Division; 1 p.m.—About 2,500 monks and more than 100,000 civilians marched on Monday in Pakokku Township in Magway Division in central Burma at about 1 p.m., chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to monks who were involved in the demonstration. The protest was organized by the monks living in four monasteries in Pakokku.

Kawthaung, Thai-Burma border; 2:30 p.m.—About 37 monks marched on Monday from 1: 45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Kawthaung Township, on the border with Thailand’s Ranong province. The monks chanted the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm), according to a local resident. A monk at the front of the demonstration held a Buddhist flag and another monk turned his alms bowl upside-down, said a local resident.

Sittwe, Arakan State, 2 p.m.—About 20,000 monks led an estimated 100,000 civilians from all over Sittwe Township in Arakan state in a peaceful demonstration around the city at about 2:00 p.m. on Monday, according to witnesses who were involved in the protest. The monks chanted the“Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) and witnesses said that all classes of people—such as farmers, workers and students—also joined the march. The demonstrators were demanding a reduction in the price of fuel and basic commodities. “There have been no disturbances so far,” the witnesses said.

Shwebo, Sagaing Division, 1 p.m.—About 80 monks in Shwebo Township in Sagaing Division participated in a peaceful demonstration at about 1 p.m., chanting the“Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to an eyewitness. Members of the public offered water and food to the monks during the march.

Bamaw, Kachin State, 8 a.m.—About 270 monks in Bamaw Township in Kachin State staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday from about 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and recited the“Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to a monk who was involved in the protest. The monks at the front of the march held Buddhist flags and three alms bowls were turned upside-down, said the monk. Authorities closely followed the protest and security has been beefed up since Sunday, he said.

Rangoon; 2 p.m.— Several state schools in Rangoon’s downtown have been closed down. Currently, the demonstrators are heading to Sule Pagoda. The crowd has swollen to about 30,000 people, including about 20 celebrities.

Pegu; 1 p.m.—More than 400 monks took part in a peaceful demonstration in Pegu city while hundreds of others monks waited on the other side of the city to join in, residents said. About 3,000 laypeople joined the demonstration.

Monywa, Sagaing Division; 11:30 a.m. —More than 350 monks led a peaceful demonstration in Monywa Township in Sagaing Division at 11:30 a.m., according to witnesses. Monks were reciting the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) as they marched around the town. Hundreds of monks were also waiting on Pyidaungsu Road in Monywa town to join the march.

Bahan, Rangoon; noon —More than 1,000 monks, accompanied by some 10,000 protesters, staged a peaceful demonstration starting from Shwedagon Pagoda, according to a witness. Several people got out of their cars to join in, the witness said. The monks and protesters marched to the headquarters of the National League for Democracy, Burma’s leading opposition party. The monks stopped at the NLD office for a few minutes and recited the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm). Leaving the NLD headquarters, several members of parliament who were elected in 1990, joined the march. Many well-known writers and poets also took part in the demonstration. There are rumors that a famous Burmese actor, Kyaw Thu, was arrested by the Burmese authorities near Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon.

Nattalin Township; Pegu Division; 5 a.m.—About 50 monks took part in a peaceful demonstration in Nattalin town at 5 a.m. for one hour, according to a local resident. The monks marched around the town and recited the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness). The local authorities are currently trying to find out who was behind the demonstration, the witness said.

Mandalay, 8 a.m.—About 10,000 monks from several monasteries in Mandalay, including Masoeyein and Mya Taung, conducted peaceful protests, according to a witnesses. Two of the leading monks in the demonstration turned their alms bowls upside-down as a symbol of the boycott against the military, and monks from each of the monasteries carried Buddhist flags. The monks marched in rows of three reciting the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness). Hundreds of residents participated in the monks’ demonstration, some of them wearing traditional pinni jackets. They plan to march around the city.

Rangoon; 11 a.m.—Trucks carrying soldiers are patrolling the city. Medical doctors and nurses were reportedly gathering at Shwedagon in case of a confrontation. Government offices and many private businesses were reported closed today over fears of a confrontation between the government and protestors. Monks marching in Rangoon are expected to draw a large number of civilian supporters.

Tamwe Township, Rangoon; 9 a.m.—About 400 monks began a demonstration march in Rangoon’s Tamwe Township at 9 a.m., according to a monk in Rangoon. The monks gathered in front of the Tamwe’s Yuzana Plaza in preparation to march to Shwedagon Pagoda where they were going to be offered lunch by a group of artists and writers. Other groups of monks were also planning to gather at Shwedagon. From Shwedagon, the monks plan to continue their march through the city.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 23

Rangoon; 4 p.m.—The crowds of demonstrators in downtown Rangoon grew to an estimated 20,000, including about 5,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, by mid-afternoon on Sunday. To the cheers and applause of bystanders, they chanted support for detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to eyewitnesses. The demonstrators passed the US Embassy before heading for the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city.

Rangoon; 1:30 p.m.—About 2,000 Buddhist monks, joined for the first time by white-clad nuns, marched on Sunday afternoon from the country's landmark Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon towards the city center. Eyewitnesses told The Irrawaddy that the monks and nuns, together with hundreds of accompanying young people and students shouted demands for lower commodity prices, a start to meaningful political dialogue and the release of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

Myitkyina, Kachin State; 1 p.m.—About 300 Buddhist monks on Sunday midday marched in a peaceful demonstration in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State. An eyewitness said they paraded around the city and chanted the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness).

Magwe, Magwe Division; Noon—About 300 Buddhist monks on Sunday held a prayer vigil in Magwe, about 375 kilometres (230 miles) north of Rangoon. The AFP news agency reported that the vigil lasted about one hour and passed off peacefully.

Mandalay, Mandalay Division, 12:30 p.m.—About 600 monks marched peacefully from Mandalay’s Maha Myat Muni pagoda on Sunday afternoon, eyewitnesses said. Hundreds of residents turned out to support and follow the monks.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 22

Sagaing; at 12 p.m.—About 200 monks marched in a peaceful demonstration in Sagaing in upper Burma at noon on Saturday, according to a local witness. The monks marched around the city. A local resident close to the monks said the chairman of the Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council and commander of the Northwest Command, Maj-Gen Tha Aye, asked the monks not to hold the protest demonstration. The monks told him the march was about the Buddhist religion, and he should not try to interfere. Authorities followed the monks and took photographs, a witness said.

Kamaryut, Rangoon; Afternoon—Detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, dressed in yellow, came out of her home, where she is under house arrest, to pay respect to protesting monks who marched in front of her home on Rangoon’s University Avenue on Saturday afternoon, witnesses said. Suu Kyi had a short conversation with one monk. What they discussed was not known. Several hundred monks marched through barricades on the street in front of her home while chanting the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness).  Authorities made no effort to stop the monks.

Bahan, Rangoon; 11: 30 a.m.—About 1,000 monks marched peacefully from Shwedagon Pagoda in Bahan Township on Saturday morning, witnesses said. A monk in Rangoon who is associated with the protesting monks told The Irrawaddy the monks intentionally went to the Chinese embassy in Dagon Township though they didn’t make any public speeches or statements. The Burmese public, including monks, see China as Burmese junta’s strongest supporter. The monks stopped briefly at the embassy and chanted the "Metta Sutta" (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness). Then they continued their march around the city.

Mandalay; Mid-day—About 10,000 monks marched peacefully in Mandalay on Saturday, the largest city in upper Burma, The Associated Press reported. It was the largest number of monks to march in a single protest demonstration so far. There are about 200 Buddhist monasteries in Mandalay.

Mandalay; at 9 a.m.—About 2,000 monks marched in a peaceful demonstration in Mandalay in upper Burma on Saturday, according to local sources. At 9 a.m., monks started marching from their monasteries through the city to Eintawyar Pagoda, according to a monk in Masoeyein Monastery. The monks marched in rows of five, carrying three Buddhist religious flags at the forefront of the column.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 21

Daik-U, Pegu Division; about 8:45 a.m.—About 200 monks, joined by about 1,000 citizens, marched in a peaceful two-hour demonstration in Daik-U in Pegue Division on Friday morning, according to a local witness. The monks marched from a pagoda in Daik-U town around the city while reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness). The monks carried Buddhist religious flags. The authorities did not hinder the protest.

Amarapura, Mandalay Division; around noon—Over 700 monks from Maha Gandayone Monastery marched through the street in rows of three in Amarapura Township. A witness said that a leading monk held a religious flag while another monk held an alms bowl turned upside-down at the forefront of the demonstration. About two dozen police officers and members of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association followed the protesting monks on motorbikes, the witness said. He added that residents turned out to support the monks.

Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division; about 12:30 p.m—More than 70 monks in Shwebo Township in Sagaing Division marched around the Shwebo market chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) on Friday from about 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., according to a witness. About 1,000 people cheered the monks along the way. Authorities also followed the monks. The march ended peacefully.

Rangoon; 3 p.m.—Several thousand monks marched from Bogyoke Aung San Street to Sule Pagoda at around 3 p.m., according to a witness. Walking in rows of four, the monks were guarded by about 1,000 youths and students. The monks at the front of the march carried three Buddhist flags and the monks on the final row carried three flags too. The monks also made public speeches.

Rangoon; morning—About 300 monks in Rangoon marched in a demonstration on Friday morning to Mei Lamu Pagoda in Rangoon’s North Okkalapa Township. The monks chanted at the pagoda for 15 minutes. In intense rain, another 200 monks marched from Yankin Township on the outskirts of Rangoon to the Shwedagon Pagoda and joined 50 monks already gathered there, according to the AP news agency.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 20

Monywa Township, Sagaing Divison; 1 p.m.—More than 500 monks from three monasteries, including Jotika and Yankin, marched to Sutuangpyit and Shwezigon pagodas on Thursday to pray. The monks chanted the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) during the march. On the march to the pagodas, crowds turned out to support the monks by offering drinking water.

Rangoon; about 1 p.m.—About 1,000 monks gathered at Shwedagon Pagoda and then marched to Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon on Thursday, witnesses said. One source said the protesting monks were protected by onlookers who joined hands as a human chain. Hundreds of supporters followed along with the monks. Some monks carried  religious flags or an alms bowl turned upside down, symbolizing the alms boycott against the military government and its supporters.

Rangoon; Noon—More than 300 monks from Ma Soe Yein Monastery in Kyeemyindine Township marched to Shwedagon Pagoda at 12 noon. According to a witness, several members of the public followed the monks and provided drinking water for them. The demonstrating monks arrived at Shwedagon Pagoda in the rain to find that the authorities had closed the gates. The monks were subsequently refused entry to the pagoda.

Rangoon, 11:00 a.m.—Hundreds of Buddhist monks from Pegu tried on Thursday morning to travel to Rangoon to join protesting monks in the former capital, but the carriage in which they were traveling was unhitched by the authorities at Toe Kyaung Lay, the last station before Rangoon. Undeterred, the monks set out to walk the remaining few miles from the suburb to Rangoon, where they planned to join Rangoon monks at Shwedagon pagoda. In Rangoon, sources report that the authorities have erected barbed wire around the city hall.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 19

Sittwe, Arakan State; 1 p.m.—About 800 monks in Sittwe marched to a local police station where they sat down after calling for the release of three citizens who were arrested by authorities on August 28 for giving monks drinking water during a demonstration over the hike in fuel prices. The monks did not allow laypeople to join their demonstration at the police station, but several hundred people followed along with the monks, according to an observer.

Bahan, Rangoon; about 2 p.m.—More than 400 monks marched from Shwedagon Pagoda on Wednesday bound for Chauktakgyi Pagoda and beyond. A witness said that as the monks marched, the group increased to around 700 monks by the time it reached Chauktakgyi Pagoda. They continued marching, and at about 2 p.m., the monks were at the Tammwe intersection in Tammwe Township. Their final destination was unknown at the time of this report.

Yankin Township, Rangoon Division; around 8 a.m—About 50 monks in Moe Kaung Monastery in Yankin Township held a demonstration march on roads between Yankin Township and Thingangyun Township while reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) on Wednesday, according to a local resident. No arrests were reported.

Prome, Pegu Division; around 10 a.m—More than 500 monks including senior monks in Prome city in Pegu Division marched around Shwesandaw Pagoda on Wednesday morning, reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to a local resident. No arrests were reported.

Gyobingauk, Pegu Division; 5 p.m.—More than 200 monks in Gyobingauk in Pegu Division marched through the town on Tuesday from 5 p.m to 9 p.m while reciting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness), according to a local monk. There were no arrests.

Sittwe, Arakan State; Tuesday night—Three monks and one novice who were arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Sittwe were released Tuesday night, said an abbot in Myoma Monastery in Sittwe. He said the novice was from his monastery. Ten other protesters were released on Wednesday morning, he said. On Tuesday, hundreds of monks and civilians demonstrated in the streets. Authorities used tear gas to break up the demonstration.

Rangoon, Rangoon Division, Tuesday night—A leading activist, Naw Ohn Hla, who was arrested on Tuesday as she was walking to Shwedagon Pagoda, was released by authorities on Tuesday evening, according to a close friend. No other information was available.

Mandalay, Mandalay Division; 6:00 a.m.—About 300 monks from Mandalay’s Masoeyein monastery took part on Wednesday morning in a peaceful march in the city, parading to its most famous pagoda, Maha Myat Muni, and chanting “metta sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness).  Monks from the monastery are also continuing with their “patam nikkujjana kamma,” refusing to accept alms from members of the military regime, their families and supporters. The Masoeyein monastery has more than 2,800 monks in residence.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 18

Sittwe, Arakan State; around noon—Security forces fired tear gas to break up a demonstration by several hundred monks and civilian protesters in Sittwe on Tuesday, according to a local eyewitness. He said hundreds of local people had joined in the demonstration by local monks, including some Muslim residents of the town. Reuters news agency reported that three or four monks were arrested as the crowd scatted and were hit and slapped.

Pegu, Pegu Division—At least 1,500 monks took part in a peaceful demonstration in Pegu, 80 km north of Rangoon on Tuesday. One witness in Pegu told The Irrawaddy that thousands of people followed the monks and offered fresh water to them. The monks began from several different monasteries and marched to Pegu’s historical pagoda, Shwemawdaw, reciting the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm). The monks did not allow people to take photographs; two persons who had taken pictures had their cameras confiscated by the monks. The witness said that the Burmese authorities had not cracked down on the demonstration although security forces had appeared before the march carrying bamboo sticks and slingshots. The witness confirmed that the security guards had disappeared soon after and that Pegu was quiet as the market and shops had closed for the day.

Botataung Township, Rangoon; Noon—About 150 monks have marched from several monasteries in Theinphu Street, Rangoon to Sule Pagoda. The total number of monks reached about 600 by the time they had arrived at the pagoda, which was closed at noon by the authorities. The monks continued their protest to Botataung Pagoda, Botataung Township and chanted “metta sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness) during the demonstration. Hundreds of layman supporters followed the monks throughout the march, which ended at about 3:00 p.m.

Pakokku, Magwe Division; 1:00 p.m.—About 1,000 monks from three different monasteries in the town of Pakokku held a peaceful demonstration around the town at about 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. According to monks from two monasteries in Pakokku, the demonstrating monks organized themselves into groups of four and marched around the city reciting the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm). The monks then headed to Thihoshin Pagoda, one of the most famous pagodas in Pakokku. The demonstration was closely watched by police and security guards; however, no crackdown by the Burmese authorities has been reported.

Tharrawaddy, Pegu Division—About 200 monks from the town of Gyobinguak in Tharrawaddy, Pegu Division took part in a demonstration on Monday from 9 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m., according to a resident in Zigon town who spoke to a resident of Gyobinguak by telephone. The demonstrating monks recited the “Paritta Sutta” (a prayer for protection from evil or harm) and marched around the town. The authorities had followed the monks but they later withdrew. Gyobinguak is about 7 miles from Zigon.

Aunglan Township, Magwe Division; Tuesday dawn—About 90 monks in Aunglan Township, Magwe Division, have staged a protest by marching around the town and reciting “metta sutta” (the Buddha’s words on kindness) on Tuesday at dawn, according to a witness in the area. Local authorities, including the Township Peace and Development Council, the pro-junta paramilitary group Swan Ah Shin and police officers followed the group of monks on motorbikes and watched them closely during the march. The witness said that there had not been any disturbance.

Bahan, Rangoon; 2:00 p.m.—Several hundred monks have peacefully marched from monasteries in Bahan to Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon, according to witnesses. Vehicles belonging to state authorities followed the protesting monks, a witness said. As of 2:30 pm, there were no reports that the march had been broken up by the authorities.

Rangoon, Rangoon Division—More than 400 monks, chanting prayers and walking in rows of two and three, marched peacefully in Rangoon on Tuesday morning, according to a report by the Associated Press news agency. Witnesses said that the monks were briefly stopped by plainclothes officers as they headed toward the country's landmark, the Shwedagon Pagoda. The monks were then allowed to continue their march, the report said.

South Okkalapa, Rangoon; 3:00 a.m.—More than 30 young monks from various monasteries near Kyaikkasan Pagoda in Rangoon’s South Okkalapa Township participated in a peaceful demonstration between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., according to monks in Rangoon. The demonstrating monks marched around South Okkalapa Township and recited the“Paritta Sutta” (protection from evil or harm). No crackdown by the Burmese authorities has been reported. Since last month, the Military Operations Command # 4 has been organizing security in Rangoon, including some personnel in plainclothes.

Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division; 8 a.m.—About 100 monks in Seikta Parlagu Monastery in Kyaunkpadaung in Mandalay Division marched in a peaceful demonstration from 8 a.m. to about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, a monk from Kay Mar Thi Wun Monastery told The Irrawaddy. In the demonstration, the monks carried their alms bowls upside down as they marched around the city. Authorities followed the demonstration, taking photographs of the monks, but it was allowed to continue peacefully. Two other monasteries, including Kay Mar Thi Wun Monastery, have also begun “patam nikkujjana kamma,” a refusal to accept alms from the military regime and its supporters, the source said. The two monasteries have a total of more than 500 monks.

Burma Protests: the Situation on September 17

Sagaing, Sagaing Division—Two army trucks carrying armed soldiers had set up a roadblock at Thayet Bin Seik, a junction for all the monasteries in Sagaing, according to an anonymous activist who spoke to The Irrawaddy on Monday. Owners of passenger buses are apparently worried that either the military or the monks might commandeer their buses as tensions rise.

Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division—More than 300 monks in Kyaukpadaung Township of Mandalay Division took part in a peaceful demonstration at 6 a.m. this morning. According to a senior monk at Kay Mar Thi Wun Monastery in Kyaukpadaung, the monks marched to the city's main pagoda, Zaydi Gyi, and recited metta sutta (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness) in dedication to those people who were suffering and who faced mounting difficulties each day in making a living. Other details regarding the outcome of the demonstration—or about any crackdown—are as yet unknown, as the phone line was cut during the subsequent interview between The Irrawaddy and the monk.

Chauk, Magwe Division—About 300 Buddhist monks in Chauk Township in Magwe Division marched in a peaceful demonstration from 5:30 a.m. to about 7 a.m. During the march, the monks recited the“Paritta Sutta” (to protect one from evil or harm), a senior monk at Ledi monastery in Chauk told The Irrawady on Monday. The monks marched around the city market to Sasana Beikman, the city's religious hall. A senior monk added that on Sunday morning about 30 monks also marched in a peaceful demonstration after making their daily alms round. Monks in Chauk said they have not enacted a “patam nikkuijana kamma” or refusal to accept alms from the military regime and its supporters because they have not received an official letter from the “The Alliance of Burmese Buddhist Monks,” a group that called for an alms boycott on Saturday. The group also called on all monks to stage peaceful demonstrations on Tuesday, following the junta's refusal to apologize for violence used against monks in earlier demonstrations.

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