Thousands of supporters of Myanmar’s imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi commemorated her 80th birthday on Thursday through a global campaign and nationwide demonstrations denouncing the country’s military regime.
A birthday video campaign, spearheaded by activist Kalo Say Htoo, aimed to gather 80,000 video messages in tribute to Suu Kyi while also setting a new Guinness World Record. Organizers reported that submissions exceeded 103,000, surpassing the previous record of 32,207 set in 2017.
Suu Kyi has been imprisoned since the military coup in February 2021, which removed her democratically elected government from power. She has been sentenced to 27 years in prison on a series of charges widely seen as politically motivated. Despite her incarceration, she remains a symbol of democratic resistance and is viewed by many as Myanmar's rightful leader.
Her son, Kim Aris, who resides in London, praised the campaign in a Facebook post, calling it a powerful expression of global solidarity. “It’s my hope this achievement brings urgent attention to her plight and that of the people of Burma,” Aris said, using Myanmar’s former name. In honor of his mother, Aris pledged to run 80 kilometers and encouraged others to mark the milestone with their own "80-themed" activities.
Street protests took place in regions beyond military control—including Kachin State in the north, Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway in central Myanmar, and Tanintharyi in the south. Protesters carried flowers, cakes, and posters of Suu Kyi, with banners calling for her release and the liberation of the country.
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Meanwhile, supporters of the military regime called for the arrest of demonstrators.
Western embassies joined the observance by posting images of red roses—Suu Kyi's symbolic flower—and issuing statements urging the release of Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.
In a joint statement, the Suu Foundation and French law firm Zimeray & Finelle reported that Suu Kyi may have sustained an injury to her left arm during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in March.