The term "Saffron Revolution" is often used to refer to peaceful or nonviolent revolutions. It specifically refers to Buddhist involvement in the 2007 Myanmar Protests. The protests began after the military junta that rules Myanmar imposed immediate and extreme increases in fuel prices in August of 2007. Student and pro-democracy groups led the first protests in response to this price increase. Eventually, a large contingent of Buddhist monks joined the demonstrations. The term "Saffron Revolution" connects the involvement of these monks, identifiable by their saffron-colored robes, with the widespread anti-government protests that lasted for almost a month. The revolution ended on September 28, 2007, after violent suppression by the military. The demonstrations drew international attention to the situation in Myanmar and many countries imposed sanctions on the country in response.
Featured Video
Saffron Revolution Central Figures
- Aung San Suu Kyi
- Wikipedia: Aung San Suu Kyi
- YouTube: Jim Carrey - Call to Action on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi (Time: 1:21)
- Kenji Nagai
- Wikipedia: Kenji Nagai
- Associated Press: Japanese journalist first foreign victim of Myanmar clashes (September 26, 2007)
WARNING THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC, VIOLENT CONTENTWARNING - YouTube: Shot dead trying to show the truth In Burma (Time: 2:30)
- Buddhist Monks
- BBC News: Who are Burma's monks? (September 26, 2007)
- Globe and Mail: Where are Myanmar's monks? (October 2, 2007)
- Al Jazeera: Myanmar monks' three demands (September 27, 2007)
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Protests sparked by dramatic increases in fuel prices
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Fact:
50,000 and 100,000 protesters gathered in the streets of Yangon
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Fact:
Internet access in the country was blocked
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Fact:
The term "saffron revolution" comes from the bright colors of the monk's robes
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Fact:
Term connects monks to anti-government protests
