In defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people a day earlier, protesters marched in Myanmar on Monday, as calls grew for a more united international response after the worst violence since a coup one month ago.
Police opened fire on crowds in the biggest city of Yangon after tear gas and warning shots failed to clear protesters.
Police with water cannon and military vehicles were mobilised at protest hotspots in Yangon on Monday, while demonstrators marched in Kale, in northwest Myanmar, holding up pictures of Suu Kyi and chanting “democracy, our cause, our cause”.
Live video on Facebook showed a small crowd in hard hats gathered across a street in Lashio, Shan State, chanting slogans as police marched towards them.
“It has been one month since the coup. They cracked down on us with shootings yesterday. We will come out today again,” prominent protest leader Ei Thinzar Maung posted on Facebook.
Some protesters called on Monday for destruction of surveillance cameras used by authorities, and shared pepper spray recipes on social media.
Others made metal shields for those on the front lines, who took on police and soldiers in full battle gear. Some of the security forces belonged to units notorious for tough crackdowns on ethnic rebel groups.
Along one road in Yangon, demonstrators taped to the ground hundreds of pictures of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, bearing the words “shame on you, dictator, we will never forgive you”.
A committee representing lawmakers who won seats in the November election said at least 26 people were killed in the violence on Sunday. “The excessive use of force and other violations committed by the military junta are being recorded and they will be held accountable,” it said.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said at least 270 people were detained on Sunday, from a total 1,132 it said had been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup.
A few witnesses said they saw people beaten by police before being taken away on Sunday.
People marked the deaths of demonstrators with red and white roses, circling with yellow, white and pink flowers the spot in front of a school where one protester was killed.
Small memorials were held for the victims, with candles lit in front of homes late on Sunday.
While some Western countries have imposed limited sanctions, the generals have traditionally shrugged off diplomatic pressure. They have promised to hold a new election but not set a date.
