Tens of thousands protest Myanmar coup despite internet ban

Women wearing red ribbons hold candles during a night protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar February 5, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Myanmar's cities on Saturday to denounce this week's coup and demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi despite a blockade on the internet by the junta.

In an upwelling of anger in the country's largest city, Yangon, protesters chanted, "Military dictator, fail, fail; Democracy, win, win" and held banners reading "Against military dictatorship". Bystanders offered them food and water.