JURIST EXCLUSIVE – Law students will join many thousands of other protesters in Myanmar and across the ASEAN countries of the so-called Milk Tea Alliance in mass pro-democracy demonstrations against the Myanmar military coup on Sunday. Among the law students going into the streets in Myanmar are several who have been reporting for JURIST since the overthrow on February 1 of the civilian government effectively led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

In light of increased violence by junta police and soldiers against protesters in recent days, and especially Saturday, participants in Sunday’s marches – expected to be underway by 8 AM MMT Sunday (8:30 PM EST Saturday) – are taking extra precautions. One of our correspondents shared her preparations with JURIST late Saturday:

I always prepare [a] backpack whenever I go out to protest.

But for tomorrow, I have to prepare three extra items. Starting from today, they (the police] handle people more harshly. So, we have to prepare for injuries. Mostly, I play by the safe route and I try to run away immediately. But for tomorrow, we can’t leave easily. We can’t show our fear very easily. Rather than a solo mission, we’ll move with groups so it’s a bit more risky. The lesson we learn today from Yangon and Mon Ywar is that we all must be able to do basic medical aids. They won’t let us get treatment (A woman died due to gunshot in her stomach and they don’t let the medical staff give her treatment).

Bandaids (rubber bullets, stones, or gunshots)
Pepper spray (we think we should start self defense now. We can’t let them arrest us that easily)
Pads (to stop bleeding)

Goggles are for tear gas and [for] people like me (need shortsighted/longsighted lens) goggles can keep my glasses on even when running.

My classmates and teachers don’t prepare such backpack{s]. They rely on the support/donation on streets, friends beside them, medical staff and security team. I like being well-prepared so I have never left without my backpack. Today, I encourage my classmates and other friends to be well-prepared.

Another of our law student correspondents wrote:

My parents are so worried that I might be arrested but I have determined I am going out and I will definitely protect myself well. Rather than , I should go, I must go. Now I am preparing pepper spray, umbrella [protection against water cannons], goggles, and other [thing]s that can protect myself well.

Earlier today, she shared with JURIST a screenshot of her phone wallpaper for Sunday. The white-on-black screen contains her name, age, blood type and family contact numbers.

Several protesters were shot and killed by police and soldiers in peaceful protests in Mandalay last weekend; one of our correspondents was under fire from rubber bullets. Police have used live fire rounds against crowds of protesters occasionally this week, along with stun grenades.