Thousands gathered to mourn the first protester killed by the Myanmar military since a junta seized power earlier this month. The military has warned of more violence if protests continue.
In Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, police reportedly used live rounds during a demonstration on Saturday. On Friday, a young woman died after being shot during a protest last week,
Masses of protesters continue to gather in Myanmar's largest cities. Human rights groups say security forces are arresting democracy supporters in nighttime raids.
A United Nations human rights investigator points to "growing reports and photographic evidence" that security forces have used live ammunition against anti-junta protesters.
"The coup is obviously good for no one," says a human rights activist. "But for the Rohingya, the risk is heightened. This is the military regime responsible for the atrocities over many, many years."
President Joe Biden announced a series of actions aimed at imposing consequences on the Myanmar military officials responsible for the country's coup, including sanctions and stronger export controls.
A week after Myanmar's military seized power, it imposed restrictions in major cities to quell growing protests, as the coup's leader promised a new election in his first televised address.
Calling for the release of detained de factor leader Aung San Suu Kyi and chanting anti-military slogans, protesters amassed across the country Sunday demanding an end to the military takeover.
Myanmar's economy is already suffering due to COVID-19. Analysts say an imposition of broad economic sanctions in response to the coup could harm the country and result in greater Chinese influence.
In the video, Khing Hnin Wai performs aerobics to upbeat music, seemingly oblivious to the convoy of military vehicles streaming down the road behind her as Myanmar's army carries out a coup.
The armed forces will likely find it harder to rule a changed Myanmar on its own — and the world should convince it not to, argues Charles Dunst of the East-West Center in Washington.
