How You Can Help Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi is 76 years old and is looking down the barrel of 26 years in prison, which would essentially be a life sentence. Ousted in the coup d'état that took place in Myanmar on February 1st, 2021, Kyi has been charged under a number of archaic offenses regarding the importation of walkie-talkies, possession of state secrets, gathering with public officials during the coronavirus pandemic, and fabricated corruption charges. She has been denied an in-person meeting with her counsel.

     The military held power in Myanmar until the 8888 Uprising of August 8th, 1988, when Kyi and numerous other political leaders led civil disobedience campaigns against the Myanmar junta. As a result, she spent 15 years between 1989 and 2010 under house arrest, ultimately being elected State Counsellor of Myanmar in 2016 after her party was swept into power in democratic elections.

     Reelected in a landslide in 2020, the military claimed the results were fraudulent and arrested she, President Win Myint, and Mayor Myo Aung on fabricated and frivolous charges. The military has seized power, instituted a curfew, limited news access to only state-run media, killed hundreds of civilians, and continually pushed back elections they claim they will hold.

     The democracy Aung San Suu Kyi restored is in danger, having been essentially buried with a coup that began eight months ago yesterday. However, citizens can help.

1. Hold a "lockdown" for Aung San Suu Kyi. Stay home and hold watch parties or post on social media to raise awareness about the injustice in Myanmar.

2. Urge your elected officials to recognize the National Unity Government formed by NLD members as the legitimate government of Myanmar.

3. Donate to humanitarian organizations and independent journalists working to bring peace and truth in this difficult environment. Some links here, here, here, and here.

4. Call on celebrities and wealthy people to donate to these movements.