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YANGON : About 100,000 people, led by Buddhist monks, defied Myanmar's government Tuesday to stage an anti-government protest in downtown Yangon, witnesses said.
No security forces were visible despite stiff warnings from the government and military earlier not to gather.
About 30,000 monks led an estimated 70,000 supporters in a march into the centre of Myanmar's commercial hub, where they gathered around the golden Sule Pagoda and the nearby city hall, witnesses said.
The tide of humanity filled the streets of downtown Yangon, with monks praying and chanting around the pagoda, while their supporters took a small microphone to the sidewalk outside city hall to deliver speeches to the crowd.
"National reconciliation is very important for us. People and monks are gathering here, and the monks are standing up for the people," famed poet Aung Way told the crowd.
Some of the monks held small banners that read: "Sufficiency in food, clothing and shelter, national reconciliation, freedom for all political prisoners."
Other monks chanted, "We want dialogue" or carried banners reading: "May people's desires be fulfilled."
Thousands of people linked hands to form a human chain around the monks, while joining in their prayers.
Large contingents of students joined the march, carrying the red flags emblazoned with yellow peacocks that symbolise Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy.
The military government has warned since late Monday against new rallies, but one young protester replied: "This is the only thing we can do. We will continue to act according to Buddhist teachings in this protest."
"We have no fear at all," he added.
Thousands of people thronged to the sidewalks to clap and cheer, offering water to the crowds gathered under the blazing tropical sun. - AFP/ch
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