Burmese teachers protested on Friday (February 5) against the military coup that toppled leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.

Footage shows education staff from the Yangon University of Education joining the "red ribbon" campaign to show support for the country's previous civilian government.

They are seen in the video chanting "down with dictatorship" and "long live Mother Suu" in reference to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the country away from military rule towards democracy.

Peaceful protests have erupted across the country's largest city Yangon after Aung San Suu Kyi was detained on Monday morning (February 1) and MPs were arrested. Army chiefs seized power in a military coup.

The military said in a statement that "all authority has been given to the top army commander and a one-year state of emergency has been declared."

Reacting to events, the White House said it was "alarmed" by the developments in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions."

America called for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released and threatened to "take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed."

Burma was governed by Britain from 1824 to 1948, during which time it became the second-wealthiest country in Southeast Asia but following independence was ruled by the military until 2011 when democratic reforms began.