Jenny Booth and agencies
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Monk-led protest marches in Burma against the country's brutal military government were today reported to have quadrupled in size, as up to 100,000 took to the streets to call for freedom and democracy.
Onlookers cheered and shouted support as between 10,000 and 20,000 monks in maroon robes with saffron sashes marched on routes through Rangoon, the country's largest city.
Today, for the first time, a minister from the ruling junta warned that action would be taken against the monks if they continued to protest.
Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung, the religious affairs minister, appeared on state television to warn spiritual leaders to preach restraint: “Actions will be taken against the monks’ protest marches according to the law if they cannot be stopped by religious teachings.”
The minister blamed the protests on “destructive elements who do not want to see peace, stability and progress in the country.”
Civilians joining the marches swelled the number of demonstrators to as many as 100,000, according to some estimates. Hard figures were impossible to come by, with no Western journalists present. Some of the protesters were said to have wept, and some carried banners which read: "This is a peaceful mass movement."
Today's turnout greatly exceeds yesterday's march by 20,000 monks and nuns - itself the biggest demonstration since the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, which was brutally suppressed.
Several film and music stars have publicly offered their support to what has been dubbed the Saffron Revolution. Tun Eindra Bo, described as Burma's answer to Angelina Jolie, is among the celebrities to join a Sangha (Buddhist clergy) support committee.
Two well-known actors, comedian Zargana and film star Kyaw Thu, went to Rangoon's golden Shwedagon Pagoda early today to offer food and water to the monks before they started their march.
Mark Canning, the British ambassador in Rangoon, said that Burma's leaders were now in uncharted territory.
"Firstly, the demonstrations could subside - I mean, that's looking less and less likely by the day," he told the BBC.
"Secondly, that we could see some sort of counter-reaction, which I've said would be a disaster, although in terms of probability it, I'm afraid, ranks quite high."
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Isn't it time Richard Gere was parachuted in?
Alan Vincent, Oxford,
My heart goes out to the monks who are trying to take a stand for democracy I hope it can be accomplished peacefully.
Cheryl,
You are looking at the wrong news outlet. It's all over the US news. It's one of the main topics to be discussed at the UN today.
Nickkie, Queens , NY, USA
To Andrew Milner: I disagree strongly. Most Burmese call it Burma still that's why we should use that name. I prefer democratic reasoning rather than pronouncements by an unelected dictatorship. Burma is simply an anglicised persion of "Bama", which are the majority ethnic group.
Of course, there may be a legitimate arguments on the name of the country to be had when democracy arrives. Other ethnic groups may certainly prefer another name as, for example, calling the Shan people Burmese is akin to calling the Scottish English. But let's let the people decide in open debate not a bunch of ignorant generals who tragically genuinely believe that their strongarm tactics are the only way of holidng the country together.
Richard Fowler, London,
Good Luck and good fortune to all the monks and peaceful protestors.
Geoffrey McNab, Belfast,
Why have only the French warned there will be consequences if Junta takes military action and cause a massacre - come on UN , Britain and USA stand up for Democracy and Basic Human Rights
Heather Lee , London, United Kingdom
In the Way of Ghandi.
Tarni, London, UK
Re: Burma Protest; The people in pink you have labeled on your front page as "monks" are not monks, but nuns.
Joe, New York,
I was in Burma in the 70's and I noted then that protesters wearing only sandals had little chance of ousting soldiers wearing army boots. I fear that nothing has changed - the peaceful do not inherit the Earth, they just get the bits the thugs don't want.
Al, Weybridge, UK
Judging from British standards of democracy where 1.5 million war protesters can be safely ignored, 100,000 Burmese is hardly worth a mention.
kate, hong kong,
It now needs a substantial part (majority) of the military to break away and support them.
Hope this go's well for the Burmese people. *fingers crossed*
Phill Barlow, Wirral, England
Words cannot express the admiration I have for the Generation 88 student activists who started the ball rolling by marching peacefully on the streets of Rangoon in protest against the masive fuel price hike in August of this year.
This sparked off the Saffron Revolution in progress. China as the godfather of the Burmese military thugs bears great responsiblity to restrain the blood thirsty Burmese generals. I am sure China would not want to be defending its client state with the hands dripped with the blood of the sanghas so close to the Beijing Olympics.
On my part I am ashamed having committed the sin of silence.
Dr, Samuel Lin, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
When sweet and patient people get angry and determined, look out!
Linda Dial, Calgary, Canada
U.S media is busy covering O.J Simpson. Uk has much better coverage. U.S Media is pathetic.
Cobeone, San Francisco, U.S.A
It takes tremendous courage to protest in a country like Burma.
To pit your weaponless body against the weapon clad junta is admirable. May these protests inspire and bear their rightful fruit.
Stewart Helmsley, Nw York, NY, USA
It's time for people to stop and take a closer look at what is happening around the world. The outrage, the inhumanity and lack of respect to the country of Burma by its own government has been going on too long! Democracy is what the United States is built upon. We love America; we love our country. Shouldn't the people of Burma have an opportunity for democracy and to love their country too? Give support to the Burmese people for their struggle for democracy.
Bruce, Duarte, CA, USA
Dear Andrew Milner, refusing to use the militarily imposed official name of Myanmar, because we disapprove of the government doesn't becomes "increasingly ridiculous"; it is only ridiculous if you support the military régime who imposed the change.
André Gadomsky, Rye Harbour, UK
The name Myanmar is an artificial construct of the military junta, as Kampuchea was a construct of Pol Pot. For Burmese, Myanmar is an enforced name which they only use because they are compelled to. For them, the country is Burma. It may be official, but it is not accepted.
Bernie, townsville, australia
I realise you are simply complying with a UK government directive in referring to the country as Burma rather than Myanmar, the name since 1989, but you really are out of step with the rest of the international media as well as the UN and Amnesty International. Refusing to use the official name of the country because you disapprove of the government becomes increasingly ridiculous as the years pass. Amazing that a Labour government would insist on using colonial names, thus to draw attention to the colonial period. FYI Sittwe is the local name, while Akyab is the colonial name.
Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa
I have been following this story for 2-3 weeks and still have not seen any articles in any US newscasts. You would think that it would prove that ML King, Jr. was right in his ideas of non-violent protests.
Cheryl, Fort Wayne, IN, USA