The symbol was also seen at Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution in 2014. Right to peaceful protest The people of Myanmar have the right to assemble peacefully and demand the restoration of democracy, said OHCHR spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, in a statement issued on Sunday. Despite the ban, the salute has been at several protests in Thailand since 2014. Five people were killed and at least 15 arrested after Myanmar security forces in a car rammed into an anti-coup protest on Sunday morning in Yangon, local news portal Myanmar Now reported. It was imitated at more rallies, and the Thai military reacted by having the salute banned. The new form of silent protest resonated across the country for its anti-authoritarian message. When one of the activists raised their hand in a three-fingered salute, others who were part of the rally followed. Protests against the military, which took over the government and arrested several senior figures of the NLD on February 1, began with people calling for a civil disobedience and banging pots and pans at 8pm every night, a traditional act in Myanmar that is believed to drive away evil spirits. (AP)The salute first became an anti-coup symbol in Southeast Asia in 2014, when youths in Thailand gathered in front of a shopping mall to signal their opposition to a military takeover that took place that year. The country has been in turmoil since February when the military seized power, triggering nationwide demonstrations which the junta sought to quell with violent crackdowns and mass arrests. As per the reports of Al Jazeera, at least three protests were held in Yangon, which is Myanmars largest city, on Sunday. YANGON, Dec 5 Myanmar soldiers wounded at least three people after ramming a car into a peaceful anti-coup rally in Yangon, eyewitnesses said today. READ: Myanmar anti-coup protests resume despite bloodshed 'INTERNET EXPLOSION' While the country had access to the Internet since 2000, it was a luxury few could afford and a SIM card could. The gesture was popularised by a character called Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence in the films.ĭemonstrators display placards calling for the release of detained Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and flash three-fingered salutes, a symbol of resistance, against the military coup during a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar, Wednesday, Feb. Local media stated that 5 people were killed and several were injured when Myanmar security forces slammed a car into an anti-coup protest in Yangon, Myanmar. Protesters opposed to Myanmar’s military coup blocked train services between Yangon and a southern city on Tuesday. In the Hunger Games franchise, the salute, in which three middle fingers are raised, and the thumb crosses over them to reach the pinky finger is displayed by oppressed people to express solidarity in a dystopian world ruled by a tyrant called President Snow. UN warns Myanmar of ‘severe consequences’ over harsh response to protests.