The protests have spread across world capitals, spurred by the media. In New York City, where the United Nations General Assembly is in session, protestors have called for UN intervention in Myanmar.

The country's military rulers quickly cracked down on newspapers and broadcast media, halting the flow of news about the crackdown on protestors.

Image: Buddhist monks pray during a protest outside United Nations headquarters during the UN General Assembly session on September 27, 2007, in New York City.
Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images