From Hate Speech Violence While it is very difficult to prove a direct causal link between hate speech and physical violence, it is clear that an ongoing and intensifying campaign of dehumanization has placed many Muslim populations around Myanmar, especially the Rohingya, at heightened risk of persecution and violence. Online Incitement There are several instances where online hate speech is alleged to have triggered the onset of violence. One prominent example is the Mandalay riot of July 2014, which was allegedly triggered by a story posted online by “Thit Htoo Lwin,” an Australia-based news aggregator, as reported by independent media sources and academics.68 In its post from June 30, 2014, the site claimed that two Muslim teashop owners had raped a Buddhist woman. The post identified the teashop by name, its precise location, and the full names of the alleged perpetrators and victim.69 70 Despite the unconfirmed details and lack of sourcing, the story quickly spread. One of the early disseminators was Ashin Wiseitta Bhivamsa, better known as Wirathu, the most prominent 969 leader and a current member of the Ma Ba Tha Central Committee, who was the subject of a Time Magazine cover story as the “Burmese Bin Laden.”71 Wirathu, who is now a household name in Myanmar, later admitted that he had originally found the news on the Thit Htoo Lwin post.72 At the time, Wirathu re-posted the article on his own social media channels with a blurb stating that Muslims “are recruiting and preparing for Jihad against [Myanmar]” and that “all Burmans [sic] must be ready.” The full post is seen below: The incident sparked riots in which approximately 20 people were injured, 2 people were killed, and over 10 cars were destroyed73 by a mob that was over 450 people strong at times, according to local media.74 The story turned out to be false, and Thit Htoo Win later apologized and removed the story from its website, saying that “[they] did not intend to cause [the riots].”75 At the time of the incident, Thit Htoo Lwin had only 5,500 followers.76 Image 7: Wirathu Repost of Rape Allegations Translation "The rape of Ma Soe Soe on June 28, 2014 at the hands of Sun Cafe owners Nay Win and San Maung is not just a criminal offense but an offense aimed at instigating violence in our country. The July 1 and 2 incidents in Mandalay are not a clash of religions or races but a Jihad. They are gathering in mosques in Mandalay under the guise of Ramadan but in reality they are recruiting and preparing for Jihad against us. The government of Myanmar must deal with these Islamic extremists and raid all suspicious mosques and homes. All Burmans [sic] must be ready and not fall into these Muslims’ traps.” 11