22/05/2025
AW08 UNDERCOVER “FREE BURMA” TEE
The photograph on the front was taken by Racoles in Yangon (Myanmar) during 2007 “Saffron Revolution” aka “Shwe Wah Yaung Tawhlanyay” featuring a mass of Buddhist monks in maroon robes , standing a silent protest in front of Shwedagon Pagoda.
Many political protests and demonstrations took place during August, September, and October 2007 in Myanmar(Burma). People from Burma protested for their Human rights , Democracy , Free elections , Release of the political prisoners and to End the military’s involvement in politics which still haven’t succeeded till today. The protests were triggered by the decision of the National Military Government(Junta) to remove subsidies on the sales prices of fuel. The national government was the only supplier of fuels and patrols at that time and making them easy to increase the prices by 60% - 100%.
The various protests were led by students, political activists, including women, and Buddhist monks. In response to the protests, dozens of protesters including Buddhist monks were killed , arrested or detained. Thousands of monks were arrested and many were Detained without any trials , Tortured during interrogations , Stripped of their robes and humiliated. Many monks simply disappeared some are presumed executed or still in prison. The Military Armed Forces raided many Buddhist monasteries at night and many were sealed off and turned into military posts.
The courage of the monks during the “Saffron Revolution” aka “Shwe Wah Yaung Tawhlanyay” remains a symbol of peaceful resistance and is still honored in artworks, fashion, documentaries, and human rights campaigns.