Depth, breadth of Myanmar coup opposition on show

Theatrical performers and members of Myanmar's myriad ethnic minorities joined ongoing large and enthusiastic protests Thursday against the junta that took over the government last week.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, if not more, have marched daily in Yangon and Mandalay, the country's biggest cities.

The participation of ethnic minority marchers in Yangon, many dressed in the colorful traditional garb of their regions, underlined the depth and breadth of the opposition to last week's military coup.

Large rallies also have been taking place in the capital Naypyitaw and many other cities and towns.

Participants have included factory workers, civil servants, students and teachers, medical personnel and other people from all walks of life.

Buddhist monks and Catholic clergy have been visible, as have LGBTQ contingents behind rainbow flags.

While much attention has focused on protests in Myanmar's major heartland cities, large daily protests have also taken place in the far-flung border areas home to minorities such as the Shan, the Karen, the Kachin, the Kayah and others.

Ethnic minorities have long been the targets of repression by the military, which has used brutal counterinsurgency tactics to crush their decadeslong aspirations for greater autonomy.

The resistance to the coup received a major boost from abroad from United States President Joe Biden, who ordered new sanctions and promised more measures to come.

Biden urged the military to relinquish power it seized and demonstrate respect for the will of the people.

Dressed in a graduation cap and gown, 20-year-old student Win Lei Thukha was among protesters who welcomed the news Thursday.