It’s other-worldly to watch a coup unfold less than a thousand miles away, on streets you have walked, with people that you know. We check in on our friends there, listening and showing we care, despite our feelings of helplessness. We’ve passed messages onto MCC advocacy offices, stories of the ups and downs of the protests, and we support the US’s sanctions against the military coup leaders. I will share now some more of what we have heard.

The first morning we waited, anxious, just to hear that those we know were ok. Slowly the messages came in until all were accounted for. Information was unconfirmed but the military stated openly it’s arrest of the democratic leadership due to “unlawful” election results from November. I suppose I was naïve to think all the warning signs wouldn’t result in a coup. But I felt shocked that it actually happened and I think the people we know there also felt shock. And the people of Myanmar collectively wondered what leaders of the democratic leadership had been taken? The president and Aung Sang Suu Kyi were publicized, but many other leaders throughout the country were simply missing. By noon the military had announced they would rule the country through martial law for 1 year.

The civil disobedience started. First, as the military seemed to be looking for a fight, civil disobedience was staying home and refusing to give them targets. People going outside each evening and banging pots and pans in protest. Medical professionals led the way, refusing the work as long as the coup lasts, despite the Covid-19 outbreak and the medical fragility of the country. Students, monks, and people of all walks of life followed by taking to the streets. For a few days, largely peaceful protests filled the streets, miles long. We heard of the grief and fear, but in the midst of protest people from all ethnic groups and religions came together and a feeling of unity and solidarity gave joy.

Violence has followed. A 19-year old girl shot in the head by police. Clinics raided and people arrested. Water cannons, rubber bullets, real bullets. And the inconsistent communication options. The military has limited phone and internet from the first day and now is implementing legislation making it illegal to criticize the government. So the people have gone quiet online and we wonder and worry for each of them.

We hear that China may be supporting the coup attempt, or at least is refusing to condemn it. The people of Myanmar are afraid of “fake news” spreading, calling protestors violence. What we hear from our friends is that gangs are being paid to infiltrate protests and start violence, but that the protestors back away from these people, refusing to be drawn into violence. The US president has announced sanctions against the leadership which is a welcome act from the people of Myanmar because they worry about country-wide sanctions further disrupting the economy.

Please pray with me for Myanmar. They are afraid of being forgotten. Pray for the people doing peace work, supporting human rights, and for the people who were starving before the coup due to Covid-19 economic disruptions and the ongoing civil war. Those are the people we know and have worked with and those are the people who suffer the most from this coup.