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.
The People's Parliament 
k1
November 9, 2009
don’t worry, even the correct correct correct also no case according to the botak, so these 22 should be ok…but i will be there
Med
November 10, 2009
Don’t worry???? All the more we shld worry… these are so-called “anti-govt” vigilers. There’s every chance the courts will say, “we will teach you a lesson”.
sampalee
November 10, 2009
Withiut,the stooges,the devil can do nothing.The police,judiaciary are now mere stooges of the evil umno.To kill umno,we must first disarm the devil.First,the families of our police and judiaciary must first awaken to GOD and disown those that serve the demon,be they the husbands or sons or fathers.
anna brella
November 11, 2009
To the 22 brave persecuted AABM:
Stand tall for you are on the right side of RIGHT on this issue!
To to the learned counsel at the PJ Sessions Court who will be sitting in that esteemed Court of Law tomorrow in judgement over these twenty two brave candlelight vigilers:
I address these quotes by M K Gandhi to you in the hope that it might help focus your mind over the next three days on relevant issues when you use your privileged position in that Court of Law to mete out Justice to these clearly innocent and persecuted vigilers.
1. An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it.
2. An unjust law is itself a species of violence. Arrest for its breach is more so.
3. To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.
4. In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.
5. There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.
6. Ignorance of the LAW is no defence.
7. Deliberately misusing, misinterpreting and misapplying the LAW, through ignorance or to further one’s own agenda, is an unforgivable act of violence against one’s fellowkind and an act that will be judged to be an offence in any Court of LAW here or in the hereafter.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
anna brella
November 12, 2009
Correction re my posting above:
Please note that only quotes 1 to 5 are by M K Gandhi.
“Imagine Power To The People” John Lennon.
Ahmad zaki
November 22, 2009
What is the meaning of our constitution when even candlelight vigils are outlawed? How is our society to progress? We were once proud to be Malaysians; how many of us still feel the same?