Feb 7, 2021 - World

In photos: Myanmar protesters hold massive rally despite internet ban

Rebecca Falconer

A protester holds up a sign calling for the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — A protester holds up a sign calling for the release of detained Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon Feb. 7. All photos: Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of protesters on Sunday rallied in cities across Myanmar for a second day of anti-coup demonstrations despite an internet shutdown, per Reuters.

The big picture: Myanmar's army declared a one-year state of emergency after seizing power and detaining leader Aung San Suu Kyi last Monday. Monitoring group NetBlocks Internet Observatory said a nationwide internet blackout that began Saturday was continuing.

A protester at a barricade hands a rose to a police officer during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon. — A protester hands a rose to a Yangon police officer at a barricade Feb. 7. Reuters reports that many people demonstrators hit pots and drums "even as power cuts affected many districts of the city."

Protesters march during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — Protesters march in Yangon Feb. 7. While Suu Kyi's international standing has been damaged by her defending the military's brutal crackdown on Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims, she remains popular in the country.

Riot police block the street as protesters hold a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — Yangon riot police block a street Feb. 7. Two water cannon trucks have been parked near Yangon University, where many have been rallying, as riot police blocked a university entrance, AP notes.

Protesters hold placards and flowers during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — Protesters hold placards and flowers during the Yangon demonstration on Feb. 7.

Protesters hold up the three finger salute and placards during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — Protesters hold up the three finger salute and placards on Feb. 7.

Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on February 7 — Protesters march through the streets of Yangon Feb. 7. Photo: Ye Aung/AFP via Getty Images

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