The Myanmar military, who recently conducted a coup against the elected government of Aung Sang Suu Kyi imposed a blockade on Facebook earlier this week. Following this, the population has taken to Twitter to voice their opinions and increase awareness. Thousands in the country have joined Twitter, according to app downloads and a Reuters estimate.
Many are using the platform and pro-democracy hashtags to criticize the army’s takeover and call for peaceful protests until the result of November’s election, which was won in a landslide by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, is respected.
The hashtags #RespectOurVotes, #HearTheVoiceofMyanmar, and #SaveMyanmar are trending currently, with thousands of interactions.
Justice for Myanmar. #HearTheVoiceOfMyanmar #RespectOurVotes https://t.co/yDbzK7brBi pic.twitter.com/GW1sdug98S
— Thae Po (@ThaePo10) February 6, 2021
For our future, for our new generation, we will fight as hard as we can to the end We need to bright our future and next generations. So we will show our unity. Stay safe and keep fighting
We can do it. #HearTheVoiceOfMyanmar #RespectOurVotes #FreedomFromFear pic.twitter.com/iGYOMg10wi— Su Sandi Lwin🇲🇲 🙏🇲🇲 (@SuSandi66706979) February 5, 2021
We can't go back 1988.We need to fight for our future.This is our battle with monsters.Together we will win this fight. Keep going up together with full strength and faith. #HearTheVoiceOfMyanmar#RespectOurVotes pic.twitter.com/6jutYKcSIA pic.twitter.com/Nxzfc43w0A
— Aye Mon (@AyeMon70190891) February 6, 2021
Out of around 1,500 new Twitter accounts reviewed by Reuters and activated in the last two days using Myanmar related hashtags, most identified themselves as being opposed to the military government, while a handful of accounts were pro-military and posted links to the junta’s press releases.
Some pro-democracy activists used the hashtag #MilkTeaAlliance, to appeal for support to cross-border youth movements pushing for democracy.
As reported by Reuters, Twitter declined to comment on the surge of users from Myanmar.
