Mya Aye (, ) is a Burmese activist and one of the leaders of the 8888 generation pro-democracy student activists in Burma (Myanmar). He was elected Politician of the Year 2006 by readers of the Burma Digest. He led a petition campaign to release all political prisoners who had been imprisoned by the Myanmar Military Junta, SPDC in order to silence their opposition. He took over all responsibilities after Min Ko Naing, Pyone Cho, Min Za Ya, Htay Kywe and Ko Ko Gyi were arrested. Background Mya Aye is a leader of the 88 Generation Students Group led by Min Ko Naing. He was first arrested in 1989 and sentenced for 8 years imprisonment for his role as a student leader in 1988 uprising. He was released in 1996 and continued campaigning for democracy in Burma. He was arrested again 2007 with fellow student leaders and sentenced to 65 years and 6 months imprisonment. His daughter is Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, who has campaigned for democracy and the release of political prisoners in Burma. Background of the uprising On 27 June 2006 - the 18th anniversary of the founding of the National League for Democracy - the leaders of the opposition movement were arrested. On 2 October the remaining 88 Generation Students' group started the first-ever public campaign against the SPDC and gathered signatures for a petition calling for the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. More than half a million people signed the petition despite being harassed by SPDC Kyant Phuts and their thugs. The signatures were later presented to the UN. Following this they organized a "White Expression" campaign and requested that people wear white clothes to protest against the SPDC. It was continued until the 44th birthday of Min Ko Naing on 18 October. On 29 October, they started a third campaign called the "Multi Religious Prayer Campaign" and requested that people again wear white clothing and hold candlelight vigils and prayers in temples, churches and mosques. On 22 August 2007, a rare public protest over a sharp rise in fuel prices led to a wave of arrests by the Burmese junta. Those arrested included the senior leaders of the 88 Generation Students' group as well as members of other student and civil advocacy groups. Hundreds of demonstrators had taken to the streets to express their anger at the surprise increase in fuel prices.