Power to the people as Burma's energy protestors join forces

Out of the darkness of downtown Rangoon emerge hundreds of peaceful protestors, holding handmade placards, their determined faces illuminated by the glowing candles in their hands.
The crowd slowly and silently make their way towards the brightly lit Sule Pagoda, observed by scores of stern faced riot police. Men, women and children gathering together with one goal - to send a message to the Burmese government that change is in the air. This week, mass gatherings just like this one have been organised in various cities around the impoverished country as Burma's citizens protest against energy shortages.
The warm, damp air is thick with anticipation - for many of these people this is the first time they have dared to come together and openly express themselves. These are the biggest mass demonstrations since the infamous Saffron Revolution of 2007 where thousands of monks and protesters were fired upon in a brutal crackdown by the former military regime. But this time, 2012, the police look on calmly and one senior commander walks at the head of the glowing procession, clearing the way for people to walk forwards.

Demonstrators gather in Rangoon on May 26, 2012

Men, women and children join forces to protest against energy shortages

As the only Westerner, I cannot read the Burmese handmade placards and the presence of the silent, staring police is unnerving. But I can feel the energy from the hundreds of warm, determined bodies and they smile into my camera lens and hold up their posters. A young man appears at my elbow, guides me through the crowd, answers my questions in broken English. "Don't be scared, you are safe," he tells me when I ask if the people are concerned over the police presence. As the crowd circles the glowing Sule Pagoda, we walk anti-clockwise so I can arrange the best photographs of the procession.
Tonight in Rangoon one thing is clear:
There may be power shortages but there is no shortage of people power.

A column of around 200 people circle Sule Pagoda 

Power to the people... a young boy walks proudly beside his father to protest against energy shortages

A message for his government... demonstrators stop to show me an English placard