Anti-regime activists marked the 34th anniversary of the 8888 uprising on Monday, holding umbrellas imprinted with the Burmese digit ‘8’ in some locations in Myanmar’s commercial capital Yangon.

Despite the tight security in Yangon, the Yangon People’s Strike organized the 8888-umbrella action across Yangon including in Sule, Bogyoke market, Inya Lake and Hledan.

Although the struggle against military dictatorship in Myanmar goes back to the 1960s and the military coup of General Ne Win, a pivotable moment happened on 8 August 1988 when nationwide protests hit a peak. Hundreds, possibly thousands were killed by the security forces at the time.

The Yangon People’s Strike today is calling for people to rebel and oust the illegal military junta that grabbed power in the February 2021 coup.

Over the weekend and today, people have been taking to the streets, largely in flash-mob actions, to remember the sacrifices of the 8888 movement seek a free and democratic government for Myanmar.