Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Doctor-Activist Defiant Against Myanmar Military Tommy Walker MAE SOT, THAILAND - When Myanmar's military shocked the world by announcing a coupearlier this year, many peopleinsidethe countrywere stunned at the news. After decades under military rule, theyhadenjoyed10years of adevelopingdemocracy until the armed forces took back control. Initially, most of the countrymerelylooked on, hesitant to begin a rebellion given Myanmar's violent past. But as the junta installed its ownCabinet and detained members of the National League for Democracy, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi, an uprisingbeganbrewing. Residentsbanged pots and pans in angerin the first few days after the coup, signaling their disapproval of the military takeover.Major protestsdidn'tmaterialize until the influence of one doctorturnedactivist becameapparent. Springrevolution Dr.Ko Tayzar San, 33,from Mandalay, islargely creditedwith leading the first anti-coup demonstrations, a movement that is now known as the Spring Revolution.Today, he is on the run. Herecalls the first moments of the rebellion against the junta, officially the State Administrative Council (SAC). Infuriated with the armed forces takeover,some peoplehadplannedan immediate backlash, buttheswirling rumors ofacoup could not be verified. "On February 1, they (Myanmar military) turned off the mobile network in the whole country. At that moment, wedidn'tconfirm any information, what is going on and what is happening,"Tayzar SantoldVOA. Three days later,he took to the streetsofMandalaytoprotest with friends and other demonstrators who resisted the military's power grab. Four of his friends were arrested that day, and one has since been killed. Soon after, the soldiers cameforhim. The activist knew thenthathis life would never be the same. "As for me, the soldiers raided and destroyed my home,where my family lived before the coup. They knew my homeaddress,so they came looking for me and smashed and break the whole house, confiscated everything and three cars." "I already know from that moment I decided to get involved. Anytime I can be arrested.Anytime I could be shot andkilled,and life could be ruined.'¦That we already knew and accepted,"he said. Ko Tayzar San rallies a crowd during anti-coup protests in Mandalay, Myanmar, 2021. (Courtesy photo) On the run Speaking from an undisclosed location, Tayzar San said he misses his family the most. He added that it was recently his daughter'ssecondbirthday,andhehadn'tseen her for over120 days. "I have been on the run for a long time. My arrest warrant has been issued since the third week of February. I have not been home since February 2,"he said. But he believes the heightened security concerns are felt everywhere. "If you live in your own home, you could be shot at any time. You can be arrested for no reason,(and)maybe threatened(with)your life. There is no security in the whole country right now." Until recently, Tayzar Sanhadn'tbeen known for his pro-democracy advocacy,especially when comparedwithother well-known activistswhohaverisento prominencein response toMyanmar's deep-rooted political issues in recent years. "Before the coup, my professional work was(as)executivedirector at Yone Kyi Yar Knowledge Propagation Society, a civil society organization in Mandalay.AndI am also adoctor,so I do medical treatment in charity clinics." ButeversinceMyanmar'santi-coup protestsfirst erupted across the country,Tayzar San has been involved. Four and a half months on,he'sstill at it, often seen roaring into a megaphone in protest. Effortsnoted And his efforts have recently been rewarded. Local media [1]reported how he was the recipient of South Korea's June Democratic Uprisingaward,named afterthe 1987uprisingthat led to South Korea's democratization. "A lot has been given in these four months. Many people havefallen,and many lives have been lost, and people are in prison,"he said, adding that Myanmar is facing both socioeconomic and business crises. Ko Tayzar San during anti-coup protests in Mandalay, Myanmar, 2021. (Courtesy photo) "Today, Myanmar is in the darkest time. However,in the midst ofso much suffering, the people are fully in the mood to reject the dictator,"he added. Protests peaked during the first two months after the coup, butsince then,mass demonstrations have waned,largely dueto the military's violent crackdown on the city. According to the [2]Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, arights-monitoring groupbased in Thailand, at least 860 have been killedandthousands detained. Tayzar San said demonstrators hadbeen given nooptionbut to respond with"guerrilla protests." "We will oppose this dictatorship anyway we can,"he said. Looking forward As for international intervention, Tayzar San believes implementing an arms embargo would reduce the Myanmar military's arsenal of weapons. "I believe that the role of the international community will continue to support as long as the people of the country continue to fight,"he said. New opposition movements and organizations have formed since the coup. The Civil Disobedience Movement has led to huge strikes across the country, while the Committee RepresentingPyidaungsuHluttaw includes ousted politicians of the democratic government. The National Unity Governmentis claiming to be Myanmar's legitimate administration, withthe People'sDefenseForce as its armed wing. The junta hasdeclared that illegal. Yet challengesremain.Ethnic minority groupshave beenfighting for autonomy and land controlfor over 70 years,anddeephistoricalanimositiesexistamongthem. But with the military's coup so drastic and far-reaching, hopes are pinned on the country to unite against one common enemy. "To make our country peaceful, where people are treated as human beings, it is very clear that this will only happen if we can create a federal democratic union,"Tayzar Sansaid. "For me, the new Myanmar(will be a)happy country that we want to pass on to the next generation,"he added. References 1. http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/469054?fbclid=IwAR1QPHtjgO8_3dUlNT82kOEZwqsxuXi7GUgbknM48AnEo_aOM9NVT09nV7U 2. https://aappb.org/?p=15812 .