Finalist: Anonymous, freelance contributor, The New York Times
Nominated Work
Paing Phyoe Thu, an actor, holding up the three-finger salute, a symbol from the “Hunger Games” series, which became the leitmotif of the democracy movement. After a Feb. 1 military coup, peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar swelled to hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of days.
Tens of thousands, among them students, doctors and engineers, protesting the military coup in Mandalay in late February.
Protesters in Yangon preparing firebombs ahead of a crackdown in March. The peaceful protests that began in February rapidly grew into an armed resistance movement.
Protesters throwing firebombs in Yangon, in an attempt to block the military and police forces who fired bullets at the crowds.
Protesters boldly and desperately defending their barricade in Yangon in March as security forces attempted to clear roadblocks.
Pro-democracy protesters holding makeshift shields as they prepared for a crackdown by security forces in the Hlaing Tharyar factory district of Yangon on March 14. Dozens would be killed on this day.
Protesters using slingshots and other homemade weapons in a clash with security forces in March. “You see these young men with slingshots and homemade weapons that could barely kill a bird, facing a military,” The Times’ photographer said. “They’re fighting for their freedom and democracy.”
Protesters helping a man who was shot in the leg during a clash with the security forces during a protest on the outskirts of Yangon on March 14. Dozens were killed.
Riot police in Yangon watching as protesters clashed with pro-military supporters, who attacked people in the neighborhood with swords and sticks in February.
Shwe Yote Hlwar, 5, at the funeral of her father, Ko Zwe Htet Soe, 26, in Yangon in March. He was shot by security forces during a protest.
Shwe Yote Hlwar, 5, at the funeral of her father, Ko Zwe Htet Soe, 26, in Yangon in March. He was shot by security forces during a protest.
Nay Win Tun, left, and Moe Moe Khine with their 1-year-old daughter, Thin Thawdaw Tun. Their daughter was struck in the eye by a rubber bullet fired by the security forces while the baby was inside their home in Yangon.
Family members mourning beside the body of Kyaw Htet Aung, 19, a high school student killed when security forces fired on protesters in Dala township, Yangon, in late March.
Demonstrators in front of the U.S. Embassy in Yangon protesting the military coup and praying for those who died in recent crackdowns.
A secret projection in Yangon of the iconic three-finger “Hunger Games” salute, which became a symbol of the anti-junta movement. These projections would appear unexpectedly, and disappear before security forces could track down their creator or point of origin. The artist who created this projection would be arrested if his identity or location was revealed.