Barefoot they marched, leading 100,000 protestors, praying and chanting for peace. After more than five hours of marching over at least 12 miles, about 1,000 maroon-robed Buddhist monks and 400 sympathizers walked up to an intersection where police blocked access to the street where democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest. They prayed and chanted, “May there be peace,” and then dispersed.
Tears welled up in my eyes and the hair stood on the back of my neck. I felt proud, I felt defiant. Fear gripped my heart, aware of the warnings by the military regime and the measure they’re willing to take to crush those who oppose them.
More than anything, my heart goes out to Aung San Suu Kyi and to the Burmese people — my own people’s kindred in suffering, hope and the quest for freedom.
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