- Generation Wave
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Generation Wave logo
Generation Wave (Burmese: မျိုးဆက်သစ်လူငယ်များ အစည်းအရုံး) is a pro-democracy Burmese youth movement founded by Min Yan Naing, Moe Thwe, hip-hop star Zayar Thaw, and one other activist.[1][2]
Contents
Background and activism
Generation Wave was founded on 9 October 2007, following the anti-government protests popularly known as the Saffron Revolution, and used graffiti and pamphlets to spread messages opposing the State Peace and Development Council, Burma's military government.[2] Zayar Thaw reportedly developed one of the group's more widespread campaigns, bumper stickers reading "Change New Government" to apply to cars carrying "CNG" stickers (originally for "compressed natural gas").[2] The group's logo is a "red stencil of a fist giving the thumbs up".[3]
The group also circulated anti-government films, including Rambo IV,[4] in which the titular character battles Tatmadaw (Burmese military) soldiers in Karen State.[5] The film had been banned by the government for portraying the SPDC and its soldiers in a negative light.[6] In 2009, Generation Wave members recorded a hip-hop album known as "the black album", which they distributed by leaving unmarked copies in Burmese tea shops.[1]
As of 2009, the group was headquartered in the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot;[7] however, its members are required by the group to maintain legal residence in Burma.[8] Membership in the group is restricted to those between 15 and 25 years of age.[3]
Government response
As of February 2010, about thirty members of the group had been imprisoned,[8] including Zayar Thaw, who was arrested at a Yangon restaurant with friends on 12 March 2008.[4] In April, Zayar Thaw's Acid co-founder and fellow movement member Yan Yan Chan was also arrested, reportedly along with his longtime girlfriend and future wife, Chilli.[9].[10] On 20 November 2008, Zayar Thaw, Aung Zay Phyo, Arkarbo, Thiha Win Tin, Wai Linn Phyo and Yan Naing Thu were sentenced to five years' imprisonment apiece for breaking State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 6/88,[4] "illegal organizing under the Unlawful Association Act".[11] Amnesty International described this statute as "a vaguely worded law whose sweeping provisions can be interpreted as making it illegal to set up any kind of organization".[12] Yan Yan Chan was released without charges on 7 January 2009.[13]
References
- ^ a b Joseph Allchin (30 December 2009). "Fresh blood for a new decade". Democratic Voice of Burma. http://www.dvb.no/uncategorized/fresh-blood-for-a-new-decade-2/2845. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Alex Elgee (26 March 2010). "Another Birthday behind Bars". The Irrawaddy. http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=18128. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ a b Catriona Richards (7 October 2010). "GENERATION WAVE: A source of inspiration". Jakarta Post. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/07/generation-wave-a-source-inspiration.html. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c "AAPP Case No. 0062". Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:elD48Vpaw3kJ:www.fbppn.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/Zayar_Thaw_updated_29June09.pdf+Zayar+thaw+AAPP&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShKj5EAUwNvhS8TgWkCItbnbL7neJnxI1MUDU0gQCvV349q_xJBEufb2nsMGJ74qTlH9dsbtrpS_-sAI3Sk5fQmxD4HkmSywBoSDMEEK6t5wnyLClFWq5xp_Cj49Ire2b9w5HJ7&sig=AHIEtbShPsRNV_Xy7Un_jusqrH3bX2j6rw. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ "Rambo Draws World’s Attention to Forgotten Crisis in Burma". Burma Campaign UK. 12 Feb 2008. http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/news-and-reports/news-stories/Rambo-Draws-World-Attention-to-Forgotten-Crisis-in-Burma. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ Thomas Bell (18 February 2008). "Banned Rambo film hot property in Burma". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1579082/Banned-Rambo-film-hot-property-in-Burma.html. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ Alex Wagner (17 November 2009). "Burma Journal: The Kids Are Alright -- a Democratic Youth Movement". Politicsdaily.com. http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/17/burma-journal-the-kids-are-alright-a-democratic-youth-moveme/. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b Rachel Harvey (24 February 2010). "Burma's youth rapping for change". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8518137.stm. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
- ^ Ashin Mettacara (18 April 2008). "Yan Yan Chan Arrested". Ashinmettacara.org. http://www.ashinmettacara.org/2008/04/yan-yan-chan-arrested.html. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Min Lwin (18 April 2008). "Popular Burmese Rap Performer Arrested". The Irrawaddy. http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=11455. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "5 Generation Wave activists sentenced". Mizzima News. 20 November 2008. http://www.mizzima.com/news/breaking-and-news-brief/1334-5-generation-wave-activists-sentenced.html. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ "MYANMAR: Hip-Hop Artist and Student Activist Jailed for Peaceful Protest". Amnesty International. http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/pdf/ZayarThawCaseSheet.pdf. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Than Htike Oo (7 January 2009). "Detained Hip Hop singer Yan Yan Chan released". Mizzima News. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1512-detained-hip-hop-singer-yan-yan-chan-released.html. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
External links
Categories:- Burmese democracy movement
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