Myanmar Coup: Protesters Gather In Thousands, Defying Ban On Gatherings

Myanmar's new military junta which overturned the results of democratic elections when it seized power on February 1, has warned the public not to "destroy" democracy following four days of protests. In a statement on the government-run MRTV channel, the military warned that "democracy can be destroyed" without discipline that people who "harm the state's stability, public safety and the rule of law" could face legal action. On February 9, the government imposed new restrictions on public gatherings. It instituted a curfew for major towns & cities across the country, including the capital, Naypyidaw & largest city, Yangon, where large protests are ongoing. Tens of thousands of people have taken part in protests against the coup, despite a long history of brutal crackdowns by the military and threats to use live ammunition against demonstrators. For a fourth straight day on February 9, thousands of people gathered in Naypyidaw against the military takeover and called for the release of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi & other elected lawmakers.