Campaign to Free Aung San Suu Kyi Reaches the FIFA World Cup

“We organized this campaign because our country’s leader remains imprisoned. She and other political prisoners have been held in prisons for more than five years. That is why we are speaking out and calling for their release. We will continue organizing campaigns like this in the future.” — Nay Lewis, Myanmar democracy activist

Members of the Myanmar community held a campaign calling for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners during a FIFA World Cup match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 22.

The participants displayed a banner featuring Aung San Suu Kyi and took photographs from the front rows of the stadium. Their campaign attracted the attention of some news organizations, which approached them for more information, New York-based Myanmar activist Nay Lewis, who participated in the campaign, told Myanmar Global Media (MGM).

Nay Lewis said the activists also promoted the “Proof of Life” campaign, calling on Myanmar’s military to provide credible evidence that Aung San Suu Kyi is alive. The campaign aimed to raise public awareness and increase pressure on the military.

Norway defeated Senegal 3–2 in the match held that day. Norwegian supporters who had traveled to the United States also drew attention with a coordinated celebration inspired by traditional Viking rowing.

Nay Lewis said the participants were pleased to have used the international visibility of the World Cup to draw greater public attention to the crisis in Myanmar.