Mass protests erupted in Myanmar in 2007, sparked at first by widespread anger over a steep jump in fuel prices. But public ire quickly turned against the military government that had ruled the Southeast Asian nation with an iron fist for five decades. The protest movement was dubbed the ‘Saffron Revolution’ – named after the saffron-colored robes widely associated with Buddhist monks, who were at the forefront of the demonstrations.

Protests spread across Myanmar, eventually drawing tens of thousands into the streets in Myanmar’s commercial center, Yangon. The violent military crackdown that followed left at least 13 dead and hundreds injured and arrested.

The Saffron Revolution was an important stepping stone in Myanmar’s march toward democratic rule. In 2015, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won general elections, becoming Myanmar’s first non-military government in 54 years.

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Saffron Revolution by the Numbers


45

Days

Up to 31

Estimated Number of Deaths

100,000

Number of Protestors

Over 3,000

Arrests

Timeline

AUGUST 15 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2007


  • AUGUST 15

    Frustration boils over after Myanmar’s ruling military junta -- the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) – significantly raises the price of fuel. Bus service in Yangon is reduced, and police arrest two young men for photographing angry commuters at bus stops

  • AUGUST 16

    High fuel prices disrupt business and transportation, causing panic in some provinces. Activists urge the junta to solve the crisis caused by fuel price hike.

  • AUGUST 17

    Activists vow to organize a nationwide protest on August 22 if the junta fails to address the high price of fuel. About 1,000 factory workers demand a pay raise in response to the fuel price hike.

  • AUGUST 18

    Leaders of the pro-democracy 88 Generation Student Group demand that authorities resolve the fuel price issue.

  • AUGUST 20

    The National League for Democracy (NLD) warns that demonstrations are imminent. As monks begin to protest, the head of the Shwegyin Buddhist sect urges the SPDC chairman to consider the welfare of the nation. About 200 monks protest after the junta imposes a curfew in Thanlyin, a small town across the Bago River from Yangon.

  • AUGUST 21

    Fourteen people are detained and charged with “undermining the stability and security of the state.” The detained include student leader Min Ko Naing and nine other student leaders.

  • AUGUST 22

    Security is tightened as hundreds of monks gather at Kaba Aye Road in northern Yangon. RFA interviews activist Htay Kywe who is leading the protests from a hiding place.

  • AUGUST 23

    Monks join the protest, despites several arrests. Protesters are beaten and more than 20 are detained.

  • AUGUST 24

    Protests continue in Yangon and Yenangyaung, a city in central Myanmar. About 20 people who tried to protest in front of Yangon City Hall are arrested.

  • AUGUST 25

    Leading human rights activist Htin Gyaw is arrested in Yangon. Protests erupt in Mogok, Chauk, Taungdwingyi townships in central Myanmar.

  • AUGUST 27

    About 500 monks join protests in Bago, north of Yangon.

  • AUGUST 28

    Protests grow in Yangon, and spread to Rakhine State, Mandalay Region and into the Irrawaddy Delta.

  • AUGUST 29

    More than 30 activists are arrested after authorities conduct night raids around Yangon.

  • SEPTEMBER 1

    The 88 Generation Student Group calls on government thugs associated with the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) to join the people’s movement.

  • SEPTEMBER 2

    Authorities plan to prevent a protest march in Labutta, in western Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Region; security is tightened in Bago and Mandalay, while monks and students continue protests.

  • SEPTEMBER 3

    Monks begin a peaceful march in Pakokku, in central Myanmar.

  • SEPTEMBER 4

    About 3,000 residents gather in Taunggoke, while police arrest three protest leaders in Labutta for planning to march towards Yangon.

  • SEPTEMBER 5

    About 500 monks protest in Pakokku. Security forces tie two monks to a lamppost and beat them, arousing an angry response from the public. Security troops fire warning shots.

  • SEPTEMBER 6

    Monks retaliate against the Pakokku violence, torching four cars belonging to local authorities and smashing two houses.

  • SEPTEMBER 7

    Monks demand an apology for Pakokku violence, setting September 17 as a deadline. RFA is the first to interview a monk organization leader and five student leaders.

  • SEPTEMBER 8

    88 Student Group leaders appeal to leading monks to lead the movement for the sake of people.

  • SEPTEMBER 9

    The newly-formed All-Burma Monks Alliance calls on the junta to apologize for mistreating monks at Pakokku.

  • SEPTEMBER 10

    Security in Mandalay tightens. Government supporters and USDA members distributed letters warning activists to end the protests.

  • SEPTEMBER 11

    Families of detained 88 Student Group leaders seek family members at Yangon’s Insein prison and other detention centers. Authorities do not confirm where the detainees are located.

  • SEPTEMBER 12

    A Burmese monk is arrested in Bangkok after a solo protest.

  • SEPTEMBER 13

    Authorities in Sagaing and Mandalay in central Myanmar warn local associations that donate rice to monks not to join the protests.

  • SEPTEMBER 14

    The All-Burma Monks’ Alliance issues a statement warning the junta of plans to boycott alms and offerings due to violence against monks. SB: a leading monk activist.

  • SEPTEMBER 15

    The All-Burma Monks’ Alliance announces detailed plan to begin on September 18 a nationwide boycott of donations from all military leaders. SB: a leading monk activist.

  • SEPTEMBER 16

    The All-Burma Monks’ Alliance calls on the public to join the boycott.

  • SEPTEMBER 17

    The All-Burma Monks’ Alliance declares the deadline for the junta has passed. About 400 monks protest in Kyaukpadaung township, in Mandalay Division.

  • SEPTEMBER 18

    Nationwide monks boycott begins

  • SEPTEMBER 19-20

    Monks continue protests in many cities.

  • SEPTEMBER 21

    Despite heavy rain, 2,000 monks protest in Yangon, issuing a strong statement.

  • SEPTEMBER 22

    More than 1,000 protesters march in Yangon. They reach the home of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi after guards allow access. Suu Kyi greets protesters in tears.

  • SEPTEMBER 23

    Up to 20,000 march in Yangon; the road to Suu Kyi’s residence is blocked by guards and barbed wire fencing. Protestors are denied access.

  • SEPTEMBER 24

    24 More than 100,000 people protest in Yangon – the largest protest in Myanmar in 20 years.

  • SEPTEMBER 25

    The junta warns that it will take action if “the monks violate rules and regulations.” Thousands of monks continue protesting.

  • SEPTEMBER 26

    Monks and protesters persist despite junta warnings; troops fire bullets and use tear gas against protesters in Yangon; more than 200 monks are arrested; many people are injured. Two to five people are reported dead.

  • SEPTEMBER 27

    A Japanese reporter is among those killed in Yangon as protests continue; soldiers fire tear gas as 10,000 rally in Yangon; The European Union considers more sanctions; outrage is expressed on the internet as crackdown continues and soldiers raid monasteries.

  • SEPTEMBER 28

    The internet is cut off. Troops shoot bullets and beat protesters to clear crowds. A junta general calls on senior monks to rein in protests; ASEAN in unusual step openly condemns Myanmar; the United Nations names a special envoy; China and Japan agree to cooperate on Myanmar; Japan demands report on journalist’s death.

  • SEPTEMBER 29

    UN envoy arrives in Yangon; the internet is restored briefly; China joins world leaders urging the junta to use peaceful means; The junta restricts movement of food during protests; crowds taunt soldiers.

  • SEPTEMBER 30

    Troops lock down Yangon; the junta ignores world pressure and refuses to meet the UN envoy; hope wanes among protesters as cities are locked down.