Arrests and Controversy from Buddha Wearing Headphones Image Posted on Facebook has left the country of Myanmar feeling *highly* disrespected, after a Western bar manager from New Zealand tried to promote his new bar with a psychedelic image.
Arrests and Controversy from Buddha Wearing Headphones Image Posted on Facebook has resulted in the arrest of 32 year old Philip Blackwood, who’s accused of “insulting religion” while attempting to advertise his new ‘V Gastro Bar’ in an upscale neighborhood. His new business was shut down just two weeks after launch as a result, and the uproar is still echoing.
“Despite removing the image and replacing it with a statement apologizing for ’embarrassing ignorance,’ Blackwood was arrested along with nightspot owner Tun Thurein, 40, and co-worker Htut Ko Ko Lwin, 26.”
Why so touchy for Arrests and Controversy from Buddha Wearing Headphones Image Posted on Facebook you may ask? Consider the country of Myanmar–which is (an insanely beautiful place) located in Southeast Asia and bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand–has just emerged from a long period of isolation and military rule. Half a century’s worth to be exact! Beyond that, there’s a righteous-vigilante spirit among Buddhist monks that want to preserve the integrity of Buddhism. As one Facebook comment replied, “This is insulting Myanmar, Buddhism and 500 millions Buddhists around the globe,”–the LAST thing they needed was a “westerner” posting ignorant flicks of Buddha.
“A powerful group of monks who fear Buddhist culture in Myanmar is under threat has emerged and is promoting restrictive and controversial laws aimed at “the protection of race and religion”.
Long story short–Philip Blackwood is facing of up to 4 years in prison, in Myanmar. Lawyers are predicting the trial will stretch for months while Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemn the trial. They feel Arrests and Controversy from Buddha Wearing Headphones Image Posted on Facebook is a sign Myanmar is backsliding on progress of rights, and that may be enough to give the Buddhist nationalists too much power in politics.
Mmm…that’s a #HotMess! (Should we be yelling Free Philip Blackwood or nah???)
