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Edith Mirante

19 Mar, 12 tweets, 6 min read

1. This thread is about responses by Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) vs Myanmar coup. #R2P (Responsibility to Protect) not only international, can also apply to EAOs within borders. EAOs have various capabilities. Not all have taken a stand vs. coup. #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar 🌿

2. EAOs did little to support previous civil uprisings vs Burma/Myanmar military. Failure to join in 1988 uprising other than sanctuary for fleeing students. Failure to support 2007 “Saffron Revolution.” Few EAOs spoke out against 2016-17 govt/mil genocidal attacks on Rohingyas.

3. After Feb. 1 Myanmar coup, Restoration Council of Shan State (Shan State Army - South) spokesperson on Feb. 2: “We oppose the coup. The RCSS wants federalism and democratic norms & the overthrowing of a democratically elected government goes against democratic norms.”

4. Shan St. Feb. 10 Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) showed support for CDM vs. Myanmar coup. TNLA Brig. Gen. Tar Phone Kyaw: "Let the military dictator fall. Get the democracy that the people want.” In March TNLA protester protection Kutkai, Lashio. 7day.news/detail?id=3033…

5. Karen National Union Feb. 14: “supports & encourages the non-violence demonstration… & will help and give protection.” KNU Karen National Liberation Army troops intervene to escort, protect protesters in locations incl. Taungoo, Kawkareik, Myawaddy.

6. Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops arrived at Feb. 7 protest in Myawaddy & seemed to stop police or Tatmadaw (Myanmar coup soldiers) from shooting. DKBA officers confronted police in Myawaddy over protester arrest Feb. 28. But DKBA has also cooperated with Tatmadaw.

7. Karenni Army of Karenni National Progressive Party (not in Nationwide Ceasefire) made Feb. 5 statement opposing the Myanmar coup. Another EAO, Kayan National Liberation Army (ceasefire) soldiers have been seen with anti coup protesters in Karenni (Kayah) St. capital Loikaw.

8. In southern Myanmar on Feb. 12 New Mon State Party (NMSP) issued official statement that the coup "seriously damages the whole country” and that #CDM protests “are an important democratic right” & must not be met with violence.

9. Feb. 17 Kachin Independence Organization supported right to protest vs. coup & protection of protesters. In March after Tatmadaw killed protesters Myitkyina & elsewhere in Kachin St., KIO Kachin Independence Army renewed raiding Tatmadaw positions incl. not far from Myitkyina.

10. Ten EAO signatories of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement stated Feb. 20: “We support the Civil Disobedience Movement & public protests against the military coup and military dictatorship, & we are going to find ways to support these movements & protests.” myanmar-now.org/en/news/ten-et…

11. EAO soldier casualty of Myanmar coup: Corp. Aung Lin Htun, Chin National Army under treatment in Hakha General Hospital (only large med. facility in Chin St. capital) died when hosp. was forcibly evacuated for Tatmadaw occupation in retaliation for Civil Disobedience Campaign

12/12. Still to be seen how varied Ethnic Armed Organizations may fulfill responsibility to protect protesters vs. Myanmar coup. Some may intervene directly or divert Tatmadaw with raids. Others might take a support role. For background: History Threads at projectmaje.org

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Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

7 Mar

1. This History Thread is about the poetry of Burma (Myanmar) + political resistance. Myanmar is a place where poets are significant politically as well as culturally. This is a brief overview & doesn’t include all important poets. Inspired by K Zar Win: #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. From ancient times lands which would become Burma resounded with poetry. Bards like Kachin Jaiwas recited epics. Court poets incl. Arakan’s Muslim poets such as Alaol & 16th C. Lanna’s Queen Hsinbyushin Medaw composed odes, ballads, verse plays. Ainggyin were sung in villages.

3. When Britain colonized Burma late 18th C. some poets resisted with words. Thakin Kodaw Hmaing wrote influential Laygyo gyi poems incl. “On Boycott.” 1930s Khitsan poetry movement used formal rhyme structure, emphasized local culture. Min Thu Wun was a prominent Khitsan poet.

Read 23 tweets

Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

18 Feb

1. This History Thread is a brief history of labor organizing in Burma (Myanmar.) This relates to the crucial forefront role that organized labor is taking in resistance to the Feb. 2021 military coup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. For power-amassing kingdoms in lands that would eventually become Burma, controlling agricultural production & other types of work was a key function of the nation state. Conquered & other captive people were often used for skilled work or manual labor.

3. British colonized Burma late 19th C, commenced extractive industry & agricultural production for export. Land dispossession, taxation, economic crises caused sporadic rebellion by farmers, most notably brutally suppressed 1930 Saya San peasant uprising. irrawaddy.com/specials/on-th…

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Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

10 Feb

1. This History Thread is about a few of Myanmar's murdered & missing women. Rest in Power: Myat Thet Thet Khine who stood against dictatorship Feb. 9 2021. 1 of thousands of women killed by/for Burma/Myanmar military & business interests. This must end. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

2. September 19, 1988 Win Maw Oo bled to death, one of many female students & other women who were killed by Burma military suppressing 1988 uprising, suffocated, shot, drowned (Red Bridge Incident.) apnews.com/article/dfc91e…

3. September 2004: This data from “Unsafe State: State-sanctioned Sexual Violence Against Chin Women in Burma” 2007 report by Women's League of Chinland is one of countless murders of women by Burma/Myanmar military documented by NGOs & INGOs for decades. burmalibrary.org/docs4/UnsafeSt…

Read 10 tweets

Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

4 Feb

1. This mini History Thread is a brief explainer on peoples resistance to oppression in Burma (Myanmar.) It’s especially for my Portland people (“latte alliance”) who might want some background on the Feb. 1, 2021 Myanmar coup and the protests against it.

2. Diverse lands that would become Burma (Myanmar in 1989) included trade kingdoms like Arakan & Pegu, independent mountain peoples. 18th C. British conquered but resistance including armed uprisings & labor strikes continued throughout Colonial period. irrawaddy.com/specials/on-th…

3. WW2 was extremely destructive in Burma & different ethnic groups took different sides. After Japanese fascist occupation ended, Britain finally granted independence. New govt was opposed by a major Communist insurgency & by ethnic groups fighting for autonomy or independence.

Read 11 tweets

Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

28 Jan

1. This History Thread is about Tourism in Burma (Myanmar.) It includes some of the problems that have been associated with tourism (as well as some cool vintage posters.) Environmental safeguards, #LandRights needed for sustainable equitable return of tourism to Myanmar (Burma.)

2. Independent lands later border-defined as Burma were traveled by nomads, traders, pilgrims. Early Chinese travelers arrived by land, sea. 9th C. Persian & Arab seafarers visited Arakan, Pegu. Nicolo di Conti (Venice) in Arakan 1435. Russian & Genoese seafarers later in 15th C.

3. 16th-17th C. Dutch/Portuguese/English contact followed by 19th C. British conquest. Foreigners’ Burma tourism leisure trips to archeological sites, hunting parties & other excursions. Disrespect for local religious customs was an issue. "Shoe question": myanmore.com/2019/05/the-sh…

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Edith Mirante

@EdithMirante

29 Oct 20

1. This History Thread is about US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Detachment 101, a multi-ethnic force Allied against Fascism in World War 2 Burma. It’s based on my article “Fire-Hardened” in Oct. 2020 issue of The Sentinel: specialforces78.com/chapter-78-new…

2. Burma was a British colony when invaded by Japan in 1942. A barrier to supply routes from India to US-supported Chinese military. Lt. Gen. “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell persuaded of need for a specialized intelligence unit by Brig. Gen. “Wild Bill” Donovan, founding director of OSS.

3. Stilwell & Donovan chose Capt. Carl Eifler to command OSS Detachment 101 which sought recruits from Burma Army personnel & refugees in India. Many Anglo-Burmese & Chinese-Burmese joined. Volunteers from many Burma ethnic groups (Karen, Burman, Shan, Ta’ang) signed up.

Read 20 tweets

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