|
Colourful anti-war protest draws 1,000 |
|
|
Written by Andrew Ong
|
|
Sunday, 19 March 2006 |
The sidewalk opposite the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was washed with colours today as about 1,000 protesters staged a peaceful demonstration against the continued occupation of Iraq by US and allied troops.
Breaking away from the usually aggressive and angry street demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur in recent weeks, protesters this morning used a variety of banners and sang songs to voice their displeasure at the US government.
The protest drew men, women and children from all walks of life who sporadically chanted anti-war slogans and also listened attentively to speeches by opposition politicians and leaders of several NGOs.
Some protesters came from as far as Ipoh to attend the event, in its third year running. About 100 policemen stationed in front of the embassy kept a close watch over the proceedings.
Worldwide protests
Organised by the Coalition Against War and led by Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM), the protest was held in conjunction with similar events worldwide held over the weekend.
Towards the end of the hour-long protest, PSM president Dr Nasir Hashim＊s read out the ＆Kuala Lumpur Anti-War Declaration＊, in which he said that the US-led ＆War on Terror＊ was contributing to more global instability.
※It fuels more wars, terrorism, deaths, destruction, Islamophobia, intolerance, hatred and the lowering of human rights standards,§ said Nasir.
Other speakers at the event included PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli and Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah.
No provocation
When met later, PSM secretary and principle organiser of today's protest S Arutchelvan said that the protest was well-organised and well-executed.
'It also shows that a peaceful demonstration can be organised in this country, provided that there are no police provocation,' he said, adding that the turnout today was better than the one organised last year.
In contrast, a similar protest last year saw the police spraying chemical-laced water on the crowd, even though the organisers had promised to disperse from the area. Victims including women and children complained of eye irritation and nausea.
Photos by Colin Nicholas
|
