Protesters against the military takeover in Myanmar carried homemade shields and moved with more caution and agility on Tuesday, adapting their tactics to the escalating violence from security forces not reluctant to use lethal force to break up crowds. In Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city, about 1,000 demonstrators emerged onto the streets, those in the vanguard carrying shields marked with a three-fingered salute, the movement’s symbol of defiance.

They marched for just a few minutes before dispersing to avoid a possible confrontation with riot police. Another group made a mobile protest, driving through the streets on motorbikes. Security forces trying to stop people from gathering have used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets most often, but also have fired live ammunition at crowds. The crackdown has left more than 60 protesters dead but has failed to slow the widespread protests against the February 1 coup.