Issue and Opposition: On 1 February 2021, Myanmar’s democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) was replaced by the military junta in a coup. As the military Commander-in-Chief, Min Aung Hlaing (often referred to as the abbreviated MAH by protesters) became the supreme power. Soon after, acting president Myint Swe declared a statewide emergency for the next year. The date of the coup was deliberately selected since it was a day before the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet was scheduled. Myanmar just had its election in November 2020. With Min Aung at the helm of affairs and the military (“Tatmadaw”) takeover of the government, the results of the November election were pronounced invalid and not permissible for the formation of the new government. NLD’s opposition wanted re-election but despite support from the military, this claim was rejected by Myanmar’s election commission. People of Myanmar who were looking forward to their democratically elected government were dismayed and violent and non-violent protests broke out against the military junta throughout Myanmar. This was not the first time the military junta had grabbed power. After restoring a civilian government in 1960, the military dictators threw over the elected government and snatched ruling power in 1962 under Ne Win. After almost three decades of an oppressive military regime, Myanmar finally had its general election in 1990 in which Aung Saan Suu Kyi’s party NLD had a clean sweep. Despite NLD’s clear-cut victory, military rule continued with Suu Kyi held under house arrest. After the drafting of the Constitution, general elections were held in 2015. Although NLD won yet another big victory, Myanmar’s military reserved 25 percent of the seats for their appointees. The 2021 military coup, therefore, brought back bitter public memory and ensured large-scale protests across the country.
This dilemma action was part of a larger movement to overthrow Myanmar’s military government.
Dilemma Action: Opponents of military rule in Myanmar inscribed messages of protest on Easter eggs. The messages screamed “Spring Revolution,” “Get Out MAH”, and “We Must Win”. Pictures of Easter eggs with anti-Junta messages were uploaded on social media.
Outcome: Although no concessions were made and the military government continued, the dilemma action received international attention and became popular on social media. The junta responded with coercion but fear of arrest or assault did not deter the protesters.