DPA
16 Oct 07
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/124877.html
Singapore police banned an outdoor peace concert scheduled for Tuesday night in support of the people of Myanmar. “The organizer was advised by police to hold the concert indoors,” the newspaper Today quoted a police spokesman as saying.
“Political and cause-related events are assessed to have a higher potential to stir emotions and controversy,” he said. “An outdoor concert may lead to law and order concerns.”
The three-hour event was being co-organized by The Substation arts centre and a bar adjacent to it.
The Substation had requested permission last week to hold the concert in the wake of the Myanmar military junta’s violent crackdown on peaceful anti-goverment demonstrations at the end of September that killed at least 10 people.
The arts centre informed police that there would be no banners or speeches. It was informed of the rejection Monday.
The Substation was planning to hold a peace conference next month in its theatre and plans to submit another application to police, said Lee Weng Choy, its artistic co-director.
Outdoor gatherings of more than four people in Singapore require police permission. Prayer vigils in Buddhist temples by hundreds of Myanmar nationals have been allowed since the crackdown.