Yellow NLD peacocks and geographic outlines of the country have been other forms of Facebook protest, along with pictures of the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Some have replaced personal profile pictures with a black background and others have chosen red (representing the colour of the NLD). The simplest way people have shown support for the elected government has been to change their Facebook profile. Pictures, banners and plain profile pictures This past week lighting candles has become a form of silent protest, and represents the spreading of light and hope to the citizens. Yangonites are also used to candle-power, lighting up their houses and apartments during the frequent power-cuts.

Candles are also a symbol during theThadingyut and Tazaungdaing festivals, lit to welcome positive spirits for the future. Normally, lighting candles is a religious practice observed by Buddhists when praying to Buddha.

Praying for Myanmar and saying no to the coup, many artists lit candles and placed them in their windows or on their balconies. Many doctors and medical staff from other districts have shown their support too,by tying red ribbons outside the front of their hospitals and clinics. The civil disobedience campaign now includes staff at some 80 state hospitals, as well as health-care workers in 40 townships, universities, institutes and department of medical research.

Supporters of the campaign are donating money for healthcare worker salaries, supporting the continued rollout of the vaccine. But Myanmar received its first shipment of vaccines from India last month, and initiated an official vaccination program on 27 January. Some worry that this might have a negative impact on the health sector in Myanmar, worsening the effects of COVID-19. Soon after the letter was published, the civil disobedience campaign went viral – and many others, including Yangon-based doctors and nurses, have agreed to postpone work duties, pending the return of their elected civilian representatives. The group released a statement saying they will not come to work, as a peaceful protest against the military coup. Initiated by a group of healthcare workers from Mandalay, the campaign has rapidly garnered wide-spread support.

Myanmar protest