88 Generation Student Leaders at Shwedagon Pagoda for Launching Prayer Service on Oct. 29, 2006.

A group of several hundreds Burmese pro- democracy activists have staged a candlelight vigil in Rangoon, marking the start of a week long campaign for peace and the freedom of political prisoners.

Activists wearing white and holding candles gathered today at the famous Shwedagon pagoda, despite a heightened security presence.

Their prayer session marks the end of a month-long petition drive calling for the release of the country's estimated 11,00 political prisoners, including opposition leader Ang San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.

Pro Democracy Supporter Candlelight Vigil at Shwedagon Pagoda, Oct. 29, 2006.

A group named the 88 Generation Students is calling for the vigil to extend through November fourth. The group is named after the 1988 demonstrations that demanded a return to civilian rule. The army put down that uprising, killing thousands of
people.

The petition campaign and prayer vigil are rare shows of protest in military-ruled Burma.

The organizers say they have collected more than 500,000 signatures calling for the release of the country's political prisoners.

Five of the group's members were detained a few days before the campaign began.