'Like something out of a movie' - Hartlepool expat describes scenes in Myanmar as he joins in protests against military coup

David Jackson, who is originally from the Fens and teaches English in the city of Mandalay, described the scenes as like something out of a movie and is desperately appealing for the international community’s help.

It follows reports that police and the military in the country have fired live rounds on civilians resulting in deaths and he believes there will be more bloodshed.

David, 56, has joined in large protests as thousands of people take to the streets against the coup which has seen the country’s President Win Myint and a number of other politicians imprisoned.

Martial law has been imposed while freedom of expression on social media has been banned and phone and internet connections repeatedly cut off.

David, who has lived in the country, formerly Burma, for about two years, told the Mail: “What was about to unfold certainly didn’t register with me until it actually happened.

"As any military operation would they cut all forms of communication at 4am. Telephones, internet, everything.

“To witness the situation, unravel before your very eyes was unnerving and something usually reserved for movies.”

He described how the military and police have used water canons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition on people peacefully protesting.

“The force who are meant to protect the people are using brutal tactics and firing live ammunition against their own people,” he said.

David described the uprising on the streets as ‘electric’ but also frightening because of the threat of violence.

He added: “Hundreds of thousands of people are on the street every single day walking, riding motorcycles, buses, trucks, cars fill the streets all protesting and demanding for what we all in the west take for granted.

"I have never felt so much admiration and respect for anyone as I do for the people of Myanmar. This is a time when history is written.

“Having women, men, children come up to you with tears in their eyes thanking you so much for supporting them is an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"One elderly lady stopped me and wrapped her arms around me and spoke in Burmese but repeated three heart wrenching words in English many times ‘please help us’."

He said a younger generation, who have enjoyed expanded freedoms in recent years, including the right to vote and political representation, are willing to risk their lives to resist the coup.

"People I know well are prepared for it,” said David who teaches English to young people at the Higher Cambridge International School.

He said countries around the world are starting to take notice including sanctions by America but said: “More leaders of nations need to do something and do it now.”

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill has written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab highlighting issues described by David and asked what efforts are being made to protect people in the country.

The UK Government has called for the state of emergency and all restrictions on people’s rights and freedoms to be lifted immediately,

and for unobstructed humanitarian access.

Read Mike Hill’s latest column: Praise due to Jabs Army

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