A worldwide effort to celebrate Myanmar democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 80th birthday by collecting 80,000 video messages has achieved its goal a day early, reaching the milestone on Wednesday.
“One day before Mother’s birthday, we’ve reached 80,000 birthday wishes. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who sent in their wishes and those who helped make this possible,” said Kim Aris, Suu Kyi’s son and a leader of the Suu 80 Birthday Campaign.
Launched on June 4, the campaign aims to raise humanitarian funds and advocate for her release by setting a Guinness World Record for the most birthday video messages ever compiled. Submissions will remain open until the evening of her actual birthday on June 19. The campaign includes message uploads, an 80-kilometer run by Aris, global protests, and fundraising efforts through e-cards and GoFundMe, under the slogan “For her we can, For Myanmar we must.”
The Nobel laureate, now 80, is in her fourth detention since 1989. She has been held since the military coup on February 1, 2021, which ousted her National League for Democracy (NLD) government. The junta sentenced her to 27 years in prison on charges she denies, and she has since been held incommunicado, with her family and legal team barred from seeing her.
Under the campaign, supporters were encouraged to send 30-second video clips wishing her a happy birthday. The initiative aims to showcase the deep affection she still holds among the people of Myanmar through the sheer volume of messages received.
Messages have come from both domestic and international sources, including democracy activists, politicians, members of the resistance forces, the Myanmar diaspora, exiled artists, and professionals.
The organizers urged people to continue submitting videos until the June 19 deadline. Meanwhile, Myanmar communities worldwide are preparing events to celebrate Suu Kyi’s birthday and renew calls for her release and the release of all political prisoners.
In contrast, on pro-military Telegram channels, posts are circulating that encourage the monitoring and arrest of individuals planning to hold symbolic protests or commemorations — such as wearing blue shirts or holding flower strikes — on Suu Kyi’s birthday on Thursday.
