2,000 in peaceful Abolish ISA protest in KL

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday. Lots of candles around – ‘cept they were not on my birthday cake. Some 2,000 Malaysians, many holding up candles to dispel the darkness of our times, gathered last night in KL calling for the release of RPK, the Hindraf Five and other ISA detainees.

That’s an amazing turnout! Full report, pictures and video clips by DeadAlienX here.

(Listen to RPK speak days before his arrest. The BBC interviews him here. If you would like to send an email to your favourite politician(s) calling on him/them to release all ISA detainees, click here for details.)

The event was organised by two different groups: Hindraf and a coalition of NGOs led by the Writers Alliance for Media Independence. As the original venue Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off by police, the vigil turned into a peaceful march to the Kortumalar Pillayar Temple, opposite Puduraya.

The whole event last about an hour. If you were there, do send in your citizen journalist eye-witness impressions.

Eye-witness kksam reports:

I arrived at 7.00pm sharp, but wasn’t surprised that the police had cordoned off Dataran Merdeka. I saw a few guys wearing orange shirts across the road; I just walked up to them and saw Hindraf printed on their shirts, and I knew I wasn’t alone.

Then I walked to the rear of the Royal Selangor Club, and more than 50 people were gathered there. Marina arrived shortly after and we all had our candles lit up and sang a song for RPK’s “Peaceful birthday”, twice.

Eventually, the police had enough of us and forced us to disperse. We then walked away near the roundabout and gathered by the roadside. Got support from the taxis and some of the drivers who passed by. After some time, we also walked to the temple. Great day! More here.

The event was organised by two different groups: Hindraf and a coalition of NGOs led by the Writers Alliance for Media Independence. As the original venue Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off by police, the vigil turned into a peaceful march to the Kortumalar Pillayar Temple, opposite Puduraya.

The whole event last about an hour. If you were there, do send in your citizen journalist eye-witness impressions.

Zorro Unmasked reports that Marina Lee was allowed to visit RPK in Kamunting for 45 minutes yesterday.

Meanwhile, blog reader Angela Ooi reports from Negri Sembilan:

In Seremban, we held our own little do for RPK to mark his birthday and his incarceration in Kamunting. A group of 12 gathered at City Park with a birthday cake, wishing freedom for RPK. We each held two lighted candles and sang the birthday song for him. I took orders for the T-shirts and exchanged contacts.

Later, PKR’s Sabaruddin came with another member and we made plans for another do at a later date. All in all, there was this feeling of oneness, warmth and general good vibes around.

Abolish the ISA! Check out Daniel’s version of the song ‘YMCA’. He has adapted the lyrics to ‘Why ISA?’

Over in Penang, some 200 people attended the second night of the Freedom Film Fest in Wawasan Open University. Tonight’s the last night of the fest, so do go and support the organisers Komas, who have put in a lot of hard work in bringing the event to Penang. Admission is free.