By Haris Ibrahim
9th November, last year, a weekly anti-ISA candlelight vigil across the road from the Amcorp Mall was to also commemorate the first anniversary of the historic BERSIH rally of 10th November, 2007.
Like the vigils that had gone on for several weeks before, this was also intended to be just as peaceful.
That night, though, the police were having none of this although in previous weeks, the vigils had proceeded in their presence, albeit in plainclothes.
Those who were at the Amcorp mall that night, having first sung the Negaraku, proceeded to disperse at about 9.30pm.
Some of those who dispersed made their way to the vicinity of the Dewan Sivik where an unplanned vigil was about to take place except that, whilst those who were present were singing, once again, the Negaraku, and without any prior order to disperse, police charged in and arrested many of those who were present, even as some started to leave the vicinity.
If you’ve forgotten the incident that night, or are hearing of it for the first time now, you can read more about that night HERE.
22 of those arrested that night were charged with an offence or offences under the Police Act, 1967, either with failing to adhere to an order to disperse or with unlawful assembly. I cannot recall the precise charge.
The trial starts tomorrow at the PJ Sessions Courtand, I am informed, is scheduled to run for three consecutive days.
I have a hearing in the KL High Court tomorrow and might not be able to be there tomorrow.
If you can, I am sure it would be comforting for the 22 if you could make it to the courts over the next three days to show solidarity with these vigilers.
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