(Fort Wayne) - A group of local Burmese residents held a candlelight service outside the Allen County Courthouse Thursday night.

They prayed for the brutal crackdown on protestors in Myanmar to end, and for those who sacrificed their lives what they believe in.

Local Buddhist Monk Reverance Ravika says "We ask the american people and international community to join us to fight for democracy."

Soldiers in Myanmar this morning are said to be occupying key Buddhist monasteries, and have reportedly cut off internet access. Forces also reportedly fired warning shots and beat up protesters to break up a demonstration by about 2000 people in Yangon.

Security forces yesterday fired on thousands of protesters in the country's biggest city. The military government said nine people were killed and 11 wounded.

President Bush says "the world is watching" events in Myanmar, and the U.S. intends to stand behind pro-democracy demonstrators there.

in a statement, Bush says Americans "feel admiration and compassion" for the monks and other demonstrators as they call for democracy. He says "every civilized nation has a responsibility to stand up for people suffering under a brutal military regime like the one that has ruled Burma for too long."

That comes as the administration announces it's imposing economic sanctions against 14 senior officials of Myanmar's government.

The action by the Treasury Department will freeze any assets that the targeted officials have in U.S. banks or other financial institutions under U.S. jurisdiction.