Burma Shwedagon Pagoda Rangoon

The Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Golden Pagoda, is a 321.5 feet gilded stupa located in Rangoon, Burma. The pagoda lies to the west of Kandawgyi Lake, on Singuttara Hill, thus dominating the skyline of the Rangoon. It is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda for the Burmese.

In September 2007 during nationwide demonstrations against the military regime, clashes between security forces and thousands of protesters led by Buddhist monks in Burma had left several protesters dead by Burmese security forces. Security authorities used tear gas, warning shots and physical force to break up a peaceful demonstration by scores of monks gathered around the Shwedagon Pagoda.

The violent crackdown came as about 100 monks defied a ban by venturing into a cordoned-off area around the Shwedagon Pagoda. Authorities ordered the crowd to disperse, but witnesses said the monks sat down and began praying, defying the military government's ban on public assembly. Security forces at the pagoda "struck out at demonstrators" and attacked "several hundred other monks and supporters. Monks were ushered away by authorities and loaded into waiting trucks while several hundred onlookers watched in shock and horror.