On 16 September 2006, a group of democracy advocates led by Dr Chee Soon Juan, gathered at Hong Lim Park to call on the Singapore Government to respect our rights to free speech and assembly during the annual meeting of World Bank-International Monetary Fund held in Singapore.
What was to have been a march and rally led to a 3-day standoff with the police when they formed human barricades to prevent us from moving forward.
Never in Singapore’s history has a 72-hours protest for freedom and democracy taken place with police men and women keeping watch over us every minute.
This year, the group will commemorate the first anniversary of this landmark September 16 event. We will walk, as we had originally planned in 2006, to Parliament House and from there, proceed to the Istana where we will hand a letter to the President.
We will end at Queenstown Remand Prison where fellow democrat Dr. Chee is being incarcerated, yet again, by the regime. There, we will hold a candlelight vigil to share this important occasion with him even though he cannot be with the group.
Our right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed under the Singapore Constitution. However, the PAP-Government has not only violated our rights but has even persecuted those who exercise them.
We will claim those rights again on 16 September, calling for freedom and democracy for all in Singapore.
Date: 16 Sept 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 pm
Place: Hong Lim Park*, Parliament House, Istana, Queenstown prison**
* Come send us off at the Hong Lim Park at 3:00 pm. Going by the government’s book, Hong Lim park is the only legal place in Singapore for public assembly of more than 4 persons.
** Join us for the candlelight vigil outside the Queenstown Remand Prison from 6.30 pm onward.