Student unions commemorate 57th Anniversary of 7 July in campus of Yangon University

Student unions commemorate 57th Anniversary of 7 July in campus of Yangon University
Commemorative Ceremony was held on the lawn of university campus on the morning of 7 July in 2019. (Photo-Myo Htet Paing)
Commemorative Ceremony was held on the lawn of university campus on the morning of 7 July in 2019. (Photo-Myo Htet Paing)
Published 8 July 2019
Myo Htet Paing

The commemorative ceremony to mark the 57th Anniversary of 7th July took place on the lawn in the campus of Yangon University on July 7.

The 7th July commemorative ceremony was graced by the old students of All Burma Students’ Union, the students of student unions representing respective eras, the students of Basic Education Students’ Union, the students from Oreway free education school, the students from the Students’ Union of Yangon University of Education and democratic activists from the respective political fields.

The commemorative ceremony included laying wreaths, silent salute to show condolence, the announcement of the news that the 57th Anniversary of 7th July is commemorated and expressions of commemorative words by old students.

“The University of Pyay held the pre-conference of All Burma Students’ Union from July 4 to 6. I came to here according to the attitude of the student delegates who attended the pre-conference and then marched to the lawn of the students’ union in the campus of Yangon University. I am still feeling sorrowful until now. A series of events of 7th July happened from 1962 to date are very regretful. Our conference preparation committee managed to hold the preliminary conference of the All Burma Students’ Union and some decisions would come out. According to the statement, our student unions will work together and then have to submit the tasks and duties to the conference of All Burma Students’ Union,” said Yan Naing Hein, chairman of Yangon East University Student Union.

“All Burma Federation of Student Unions changed from the name of All Burma Students’ Union is a glorious organization in Myanmar history. The students played a leading role in the struggle for Myanmar independence and the fight against the oppression. The first students’ strike occurred in 1920 and they were opposed to British colonial government. The students fought against slave education system. The military regime seized power on March 2 in 1962 and the students protested against military dictatorship and hundreds of students were killed. The building of Students’ Union was destroyed with the use of mines. Therefore an unforgettable event took place in Myanmar history and it is always in our mind. For that reason we commemorate the 57th Anniversary of 7th July. In 2017 a plot to destroy that lawn in the campus of Yangon University appeared, but it was unanimously objected by the student unions and so it was unsuccessful,” said Saya Chit, who is a former 1970 generation student.

The students carrying vinyl stating “An immediate release of unfairly-detained students and people”, “Oppose Fascism murdering people” and “An immediate release of the nine standard student who is unfairly arrested” chanted slogans.

The All Burma Federation of Student Unions, the basic education students’ union, the Democratic Party for New Society, various political organizations, and the political activists of 74, 75 and 76 released different statements on 57th Anniversary of 7th July during the commemoration ceremony.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut