Reuters report on "Black Saturday" at Centerpoint 8 Sept 4pm

last SG · 2007-09-07T14:13:54+00:00

Originally posted by Jontst78: [b] Alright! now we got int'l media I would have been really happy if this got a small picture in one corner in "today". Didn...

kopiosatu SG

why bother putting up a protest in a communist country? Laughing

Lin Yu SG

why bother to ask if you can't even be bothered? Evil or Very Mad

googoomuck SG

The red buses parked in a inconspicuous place, near Taka.

Kuali Baba SG

I was there at 4, wearing black (and bumped into another forum member), but I didn't notice a significant difference in the proportion of black clothes. I chatted with the Reuters crew a little as well.

Did no one notice the SDP people outside Robinson's with their 'Free Dr Chee' placards? It made me wonder if they had set up this demonstration, claiming one purpose and then promoting another, or were just taking advantage of it to gain publicity. Either way, I was disgusted by their actions.

(human) SG

My friend and i went to check the protest in centre point. It seems like there were no major big event call protest. At the end of it he commented that it was a prank one, and said that old Lee will laugh until drop dead if he ever discover that the standard of protest and expression of Singaporeans have dropped to this pathetic state.

LazerLordz SG

The SDP chaps later changed to black and were hanging around upstairs.

LimSianTong SG

All this while there had been rumors about Chee's behaviors as not as simple as it seemed. Why make himself make them look good all the time?

This kind of weird behavior is a reasonable suspicion to some.

For me , I am not sure what is going on.

If this was indeed a prank, I think it must be to show singaporeans who have been complaining about policies that in reality in singapore , not much people really bother about protesting, even such a silent protest. To also tell them, although forums such as sgforums , sammyboy etc and other blogs have many forum Identities criticising, these are really either couch potato or NATO. No matter what , the days event successfully malu 'd all the supporters of the call. Indirectly, it tells those who have been criticising that no one really bothers. Kind of a 'pour cold water'. Like laughing at the black t-shirt folks, look what clowns you make yourselves to be! For me, I am just glad nothing bad happened.

If my wild guess is correct, it shows what is the true singaporean mentality.

Good or bad is up to you to interprete.

Its really time to apply for greener pasture.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its confirmed. Only Time can set us free.

kopiosatu SG

which brings everything back to

why bother? Laughing

Jontst78 SG

I think SDP was courteous enough to packup their roadshow and change in black at 4pm sharp. Whether the coutesy was intended or not, as one of those in black, I "tip my hat" to you.

Fingolfin_Noldor SG

Did anyone take pictures?

LazerLordz SG

well, you gotta accept that not everyone is a cynic like you mah. Laughing

^tamago^ SG

yeah, they dispersed and close their "shop" at 4pm sharp and immediately went in. whether there were police who asked them to leave i'm not sure.

Jontst78 SG

I arrived at Centrepoint around 3:40pm. Saw SDP's "roadshow" as I drove past, before turning left into the carpark. I did think to myself, "hmm, no surprise they are here, hope they don't hijack the black 'event' tho."

I think SDP was courteous enough to packup their roadshow and change in black at 4pm sharp. Whether the courtesy was intended or not, as one of those in black, I "tip my hat" to you.

As I watched the SDP folks pack up, I overheard a youngish looking female reporter asking someone nearby (in black with a zoom len expensive looking Digi Cam with a companion dressed in white Tshirt) "But you are wearing black, why?" or something like that. The guy just insisted that he was a concerned passerby or something like that.

At around 4:15pm, I was strolling around the 2nd and 3rd stories. There was definitely a slightly higher number of people wearing black at centerpoint on Saturday 8 Sept. I did exchange smiles with some at the entrance, although there was this chap at the entrance in a White England Soccer Jersey who was people-watching with a grumpy look on his face, like hes weekend was burnt. =P
High enough number of black clothing to call it abnormal, perhaps not. Did they all disagree with the compulsory annuity? I dont know for sure. But going around spotting the plainclothes did provide some free entertainment while my date went shopping at Mango and Gap. Also some amusement much later, to see Uncle Yap with his cellphone snapping away at middle aged men who were loitering in groups or 2s and 3s.

I proceeded to the basement to see what were the Chee's up to. From afar, they looked like they are surrounded by reporters at MacDonald's. (Including 2 -3 Caucasians with huge zoom lens cams)

Went back up to the ground floor a while later, spent a short while walking up and down the mall, spotted a plainclothes a the top, with a walkie, who spent most of his time there on a wooden bench, looking down.

It was past 5:20, and I thought of leaving, after watching 4-5 of the plainclothes take a smokebreak (I think only the one posted at the top floor smoked) next to the taxi stand. Oh and Grumpy in the england jearsy was still at the entrance together with his chinese colleague.

So I thought, ok walk through the mall one last time to add my presence. l went through the basement, saw the CNA female reporter, looking somewhat exasperated. Hopefully she did get something to publish. I proceeded upstairs via the escalator, and started walking near or next to people who wore black. Standing next to a guy who was wearing black, just to add to the black presence.

Then I noticed there was a "black presence" in front of the Cultural Musical performance. See pic below. Ok, so I thought, ok I'll watch and add to the "Blackness". Guess what, the plainsclothes taking a break at the taxi stand all came back in, surrounding the "performance". 2 were watching from behind the stage, leaning on the railing at the escalators. 2 were on the right of the audience, on the 2nd floor, leaning on the railings. And a youngish looking skinhead was watching from the mooncake/pastry booths.

When the performance ended, I proceeded to Macs to get a drink, saw a group of like 5-6 black at Macs, thought of taking a photo, but then thought better of it. I then departed CP after that with my date for dinner. All in all, I think, it felt good. Hopefully the press did get something.

Success or not, largely depends on your point of view or expectations. If one expected this event to actually steer Government polices, then its was not really much of a success to speak about.

But then again, steering Government polices is not something that the people (who wore black to centrepoint yesterday afternoon) wanted or expected to achieve isn't it? Taking action to show or pass on a message of disagreement or objection to government polices, is still at its infancy here in Singapore. Even an alien concept to some.

In my opinion, this event is just another milestone in the political maturity of Citizens here in Singapore, where people who actually disagree but more than often, end up saying : "Aiyah, protest also no use. Its the Government leh".

A message of disagreement or objection to a policy or Government decision, does not have to end in violence, or even breaking the Law.

I hope this even will build in momentum, generate more awareness that Singaporeans actually have a say, and can say something, other than Yes to the Government, in an ever so slightly more assertive manner.

To all those who came in black, don't give up, even if the press brushes this of as nothing. Even if the government or anyone comes out and call this a pointless endeavour. Do not back down, continue to spread the word. The Government will do all it can to discredit it even, do not let negative press of the event discourage you from participating further.

Just as importantly, do not be goaded or baited into more extreme or confrontational practices, in future similar events. Keep it as it is, but help the numbers grow, generate awareness, spread the word. Keep the event peaceful and non-confrontational.

I propose the same thing, same time, same place, same colour on 15/09. Hopefully we Singaporeans can get things moving, and keep the momemtun building.

http://power2thepeoplesg.blogspot.com/

kramnave SG

Why not change a different colour…something more uncommon ?

FireIce SG

lets make it pink?

kramnave SG

purple top and hot pants.

Jontst78 SG

maybe maybe... will update accordingly(blog, and in here) if there are any changes.
Laughing

Fingolfin_Noldor SG

Shocked

I hate ... pink...

reddressman SG

I think many should thank you for the field report which is very detailed and
interesting. This should in no way indicate if I support or disapprove such events. (selfpreservation)

Originally posted by Jontst78:
So I thought, ok walk through the mall one last time to add my presence. l went through the basement, saw the CNA female reporter, looking somewhat exasperated. Hopefully she did get something to publish......

................
When the performance ended, I proceeded to Macs to get a drink, saw a group of like 5-6 black at Macs, thought of taking a photo, but then thought better of it. I then departed CP after that with my date for dinner. All in all, I think, it felt good. Hopefully the press did get something.

CNA so far have not reported it today, Sunday. I think they will not report it for whatever reason.

It would be interesting to know if ANY news, local or foreign has reported it.
Anyone seen any reports?

Originally posted by Jontst78:
In my opinion, this event is just another milestone in the political maturity of Citizens here in Singapore, where people who actually disagree but more than often, end up saying : "Aiyah, protest also no use. Its the Government leh".

Does anyone know around how many knew of the event at least 1 day in advance? I think only a few hundred to a couple of thousand people were aware. dioboh? Question
Many who are on one forum may also be on other forums and talk the same things. Thus, it is unknown how many actually aware beforehand. make sense boh?

The 'Say No' petition only registered a low 600 odd sigs (as of yesterday). What does this mean? By this kind of response, I am confident we will get compulsory annuity. But this is just my guess. Well, why not?!!? Singaporeans have spoken?????? I dunno since there is no figures to indicate how many are really aware of anything.

Originally posted by Jontst78:
A message of disagreement or objection to a policy or Government decision, does not have to end in violence, or even breaking the Law.

You mean it is ok to disagree? I am kind of surprised. Shocked

Originally posted by Jontst78:
I hope this even will build in momentum, generate more awareness that Singaporeans actually have a say, and can say something, other than Yes to the Government, in an ever so slightly more assertive manner.

Who actually invented this kind of event? Idea Idea Idea I got a suspicion it came from down under as I have heard it was practised there before??? can be wrong of course.

I am also curious to know if anyone would have broken any (Singapore!) law for wearing a particular color of t-shirt and did not form in groups of >=5 ?

If not one can get in trouble in this case, then is this not a 'loophole' that the people concerned would find ways to plug it? I have no idea. I doubt so since I cracked my head and cannot find any reason that can land such event people into trouble, as long as they observe the 'safe practise guidelines'.

Originally posted by Jontst78:
I propose the same thing, same time, same place, same colour on 15/09. Hopefully we Singaporeans can get things moving, and keep the momemtun building.

I am Not saying I would participate (selfpreservation), but how many really will be aware, once again? I did made a small field survey yeasterday at CP and of the 5 stranger singaporeans I spoke to, none was aware. I bet it is so even if you asked them again today.

t_a_s SG

R they running dog?

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