Generation Wave
Encyclopedia
Generation Wave is a pro-democracy Burmese youth movement founded by Min Yan Naing, Moe Thwe, hip-hop star Zayar Thaw
, and one other activist.
, Burma's military government. Zayar Thaw reportedly developed one of the group's more widespread campaigns, bumper stickers reading "Change New Government" to apply to cars carrying "CNG" stickers (originally for "compressed natural gas"). The group's logo is a "red stencil of a fist giving the thumbs up".
The group also circulated anti-government films, including Rambo IV, in which the titular character battles Tatmadaw (Burmese military) soldiers in Karen State. The film had been banned by the government for portraying the SPDC and its soldiers in a negative light. In 2009, Generation Wave members recorded a hip-hop album known as "the black album", which they distributed by leaving unmarked copies in Burmese tea shops.
As of 2009, the group was headquartered in the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot
; however, its members are required by the group to maintain legal residence in Burma. Membership in the group is restricted to those between 15 and 25 years of age.
co-founder and fellow movement member Yan Yan Chan
was also arrested, reportedly along with his longtime girlfriend and future wife, Chilli.. On 20 November 2008, Zayar Thaw, Aung Zay Phyo, Arkarbo, Thiha Win Tin, Wai Linn Phyo and Yan Naing Thu were sentenced to five years' imprisonment apiece for breaking State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 6/88, "illegal organizing under the Unlawful Association Act". Amnesty International described this statute as "a vaguely worded law whose sweeping provisions can be interpreted as making it illegal to set up any kind of organization". Yan Yan Chan was released without charges on 7 January 2009.
Zayar Thaw
Zayar Thaw ; born Kyaw Kyaw on 26 March 1981) is a Burmese hip-hop artist currently detained for the perceived anti-government messages of his lyrics. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience.-Hip-hop career:...
, and one other activist.
Background and activism
Generation Wave was founded on 9 October 2007, following the anti-government protests popularly known as the Saffron Revolution, and used graffiti and pamphlets to spread messages opposing the State Peace and Development CouncilState Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
, Burma's military government. Zayar Thaw reportedly developed one of the group's more widespread campaigns, bumper stickers reading "Change New Government" to apply to cars carrying "CNG" stickers (originally for "compressed natural gas"). The group's logo is a "red stencil of a fist giving the thumbs up".
The group also circulated anti-government films, including Rambo IV, in which the titular character battles Tatmadaw (Burmese military) soldiers in Karen State. The film had been banned by the government for portraying the SPDC and its soldiers in a negative light. In 2009, Generation Wave members recorded a hip-hop album known as "the black album", which they distributed by leaving unmarked copies in Burmese tea shops.
As of 2009, the group was headquartered in the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sot
Mae Sot
- External links :* * : an audio documentary.* *...
; however, its members are required by the group to maintain legal residence in Burma. Membership in the group is restricted to those between 15 and 25 years of age.
Government response
As of February 2010, about thirty members of the group had been imprisoned, including Zayar Thaw, who was arrested at a Yangon restaurant with friends on 12 March 2008. In April, Zayar Thaw's AcidAcid (hip-hop)
Acid is a Burmese hip hop group often credited with releasing Burma's first hip hop album, Beginning, in 2000. Two of the group's founders were later imprisoned for the group's allegedly pro-democracy lyrics.-Beginning:...
co-founder and fellow movement member Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan is a pioneer of Burmese hip hop and pro-democracy activist. Along with Zayar Thaw, he founded the group Acid.-"Beginning":In 2000, Acid released Burma's first hip-hop album. Despite predictions of failure by many in the Burmese music industry, the album, Beginning, remained in the...
was also arrested, reportedly along with his longtime girlfriend and future wife, Chilli.. On 20 November 2008, Zayar Thaw, Aung Zay Phyo, Arkarbo, Thiha Win Tin, Wai Linn Phyo and Yan Naing Thu were sentenced to five years' imprisonment apiece for breaking State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 6/88, "illegal organizing under the Unlawful Association Act". Amnesty International described this statute as "a vaguely worded law whose sweeping provisions can be interpreted as making it illegal to set up any kind of organization". Yan Yan Chan was released without charges on 7 January 2009.