Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced Daw Aung Sawn Sue Chee) is one of the world's most renown freedom fighters and advocates of nonviolence, having served as the figurehead for Burma's struggle for democracy since 1988. Born on June 19th, 1945 to Burma's independence hero, Aung San, Aung San Suu Kyi was educated in Burma, India, and the United Kingdom. Her father was assassinated when she was only two years old. In 1988, while living in London, she returned to Burma to nurse her dying mother, and was plunged into the country's nationwide uprising that had just begun. Joining the newly-forming National League for Democracy political party, Suu Kyi gave numerous speeches calling for freedom and democracy. The military regime responded to the uprising with brute force, shooting and otherwise killing up to 10,000 demonstrators — student, women, children, and others — in a mater of months. Unable to maintain its grip on power, the regime was forced to call for a general election in 1990. As Suu Kyi began to campaign for the NLD, she and many others were detained by the regime. Despite being held under house arrest, the NLD went on to win a staggering 82% of the seats in parliament. The regime never recognized the results. Suu Kyi has been in and out of arrest ever since. She was held from 1989-1995, and again from 2000-2002. She was again arrested and placed behind bars in May 2003 after the Depayin massacre, during which up to 100 of her supporters were beaten to death by the regime's cronies. She has moved from prison back into house arrest in late 2003 and has been held there ever since. She has won numerous international awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament, United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Jawaharlal Nehru Award from India. She has called on people around the world to join the struggle for freedom in Burma, saying "Please use your liberty to promote ours."

By midday (29-5-2003) these USDA people were waiting on the left side of the road near Ye-po-sa village (between Myinmu and Chaung-U ) for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her party who were on their way to Monywa from Myinmu.

The pilot car which saw the big group of USDA attempted to reverse in order to warn the motorcade that would be soon arriving at this point. But under orders of an army colonel the car had to proceed.

From this it can be presumed that the plot was to commit the murderous crimes at this village.
The pilot car arrived at Chaung U and informed the local people including 6000 students on 3000 motor cycles who were awaiting the arrival of Daw Aung San Su Kyi’s motorcade. They immediately left for Ye-po-sa village and stationed their motor cycles in front of the people who
were waiting by the side of the road thus preventing any disturbance that could have been created by the USDA members. This was how Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and party arrived safely at Monywa.

The market at Monywa was closed because people knew that plans were afoot for violent
disturbances against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, but they came out in a multitude to welcome her. The lights were cut off at night but that didn’t stop the people. They each held a candle and showed great support.

Daw Aung San Su Kyi ( 29-05-2003)