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The monks are challenging the military regime in Burma/Myanmar. From the New York Times:

Hundreds of Buddhist monks marched through rain-washed streets for the third day in Myanmar’s main city yesterday, taking the lead in monthlong protests that the military junta has so far been powerless to contain.

Buddhist monks took to the streets in Yangon, Myanmar, for the third day on Thursday. They were joined at times by other residents of this former capital. In a gesture of protest, at least some monks reportedly refused to accept alms from members of the military.

The involvement of large numbers of monks has increased the challenge to the government in a nation where the Buddhist clergy is highly revered and is the most organized group apart from the military.

The current protests began after the government raised fuel prices on Aug. 15 without warning or explanation by as much as 500 percent.

Protests by monks have been reported in a number of other cities over the past three days. If the monks’ demonstrations continue, analysts said, the military junta will face a difficult decision over whether to crush them by force and risk a still greater public backlash.

Visit Site: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/world/asia/21myanmar.html?ei=5090&en=...