Forgive, but do not forget

Forgive, but do not forget

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin   |   Sunday, 11 August 2013

"Don't stop. Keep going, keep going," the policeman said repeatedly to the taxi drivers as they try to stop outside the Myanmar Convention Center on Yangon's Mindhamma Road.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the 1988 uprising 25th anniversary event at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon on August 8. (Boothee/The Myanmar Times)

The policeman stood below an entrance bedecked with red and black flags with a peacock motif and the words, "8888 Silver Jubilee".

Many of the people streaming in through the entrance wore the black T-shirts made for the occasion, while others wore white T-shirts and traditional black longyi, known as yaw paso.

For many it was more about finding out what happened than remembering.

"I'm excited to attend the ceremony although I was not alive at the time," said Ma Wa Wai Thar, 21, from Thaketa township. "I felt sad and even cried when I was watching this video," she added, pointing to the large screen on which scenes of 1988 were being played.

Inside the convention center, more than 5000 people jostled to find seats in front of the stage, where a big red "8888" held centre stage.

Although 25 years have passed, red remains the colour of the uprising – a reminder of the blood spilled on the streets, in the prison cells and, most famously, on the "red bridge" leading to Inya Lake beside Pyay Road when people from all walks of life rose up against the government.

While the protests were extinguished, the quest for democracy was not.

"In the past 25 years, governments have changed and we've even had three national flags. But our flag, the peacock, has never changed. Let's all work together under this flag," 88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing told the crowd to rapturous applause.

"It has taken 25 years to reach this day. We have called for democracy for many years. Many people sacrificed their life; we gave our energy, sweat and tears within these years. Finally we can celebrate the silver ceremony," he said.

He said the 1988 uprising was a time when people "united and fought to end oppression and injustice under the military regime".

"We have to continue to move with the '88 spirit. If oppression and injustice happens again, there will be a revival of 1988."

The three-day event was notable for the diversity of people it attracted. This included not only those who were students in 1988 but also family members of students and people who died, members of political parties, former political prisoners, ethnic minority leaders, civil society representatives, members of parliament, a minister from the President's Office and, of course, democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who delivered a speech on August 8.

Thousands packed the Myanmar Convention Centre from August 6 to 8 for a history-making event to mark the 25th anniversary of the 1988 uprising.While prominent activists such as 88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing and NLD boss Daw Aung San Suu Kyi led the speeches, it was the presence of a number of former and serving military officials, including U Aung Min and U Htay Oo, that that underscored how much Myanmar has changed over the past two years.

The speakers of the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw sent letters to the ceremony, while Minister for the President's Office U Aung Min attended along with Union Solidarity and Development Party senior members U Htay Oo and U Thein Zaw.

Colonel San Aung from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army said his group respected the 88 Generation for fighting for democracy for 25 years without resorting to violence.

"We have fought against the government with weapons for 60 years and it led to a lot of loss of life among our ethnic group. We don't want to fight anymore. We want to cooperate with all to get genuine federalism," he said.

88 Generation leader Ko Pyone Cho said organisers had hoped for a broad turnout.

"We invited all people – both those involved on that day and those not involved – because the 8-8-88 Revolution concerned all citizens," he said.

During the ceremony, participants observed a minute's silence for those who lost their lives. Among these was a teenage girl, Ma Win Maw Oo, who was shot by the military. A photo of her being carried by two students who tried in vain to save her life became famous around the world and was the focal point of a photo and art exhibition at last week's ceremony.

"We'll never forget the scene. It's a tragedy for our country," U Mya Kyaing, 75, said as he looked at the photo.

A former political prisoner, he was released from Thayarwady Prison in 2005 and lives in East Dagon township.

"At that time, we lived in North Okkalapa. There was a bridge near No 2 quarter. Government troops stood on the bridge and shot at those who demonstrated on North Okkalapa Road," he said slowly.

"There were bodies all over the road. Some died at that spot and others managed to run away when the police shot them. I helped the demonstrators as much as I could."

After attending last week's ceremony with some colleagues, U Mya Kyaing said he had decided to return to politics and cooperate with groups trying to get genuine peace and democracy. "I will help as much as I can."

Like U Mya Kyaing, some people were looking at the photos, some were visiting book shops and some were sitting at food courts and talking about their experiences in 1988.

One groups sang political songs, while others stood in front of a replica of a prison cell.

"We lived in it for many years by making what we needed," an ex-political prisoner sitting inside explained to visitors as he showed his handmade accessories.

Ma Ti Daung Nan, from Lashio in northern Shan State, came to Yangon for the ceremony. "I wanted to learn from this ceremony," she said. "Our ethnic group lives in very poor conditions and I want to do something to develop our life. After attending the ceremony I will share my experience and knowledge to other people at home."

88 Generation leaders said it was people like Ma Ti Daung Nan and U Mya Kyaing whom they hoped the event would inspire.

"We understand that we can't get democracy alone. We don't want to solve problems through violence. We will cooperate with all to find the best answer for the country peacefully," said Min Ko Naing.

There was also one final message from the 88 Generation: "We can forgive – but not forget."

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/13/forgive-but-do-not-forget/