Your fears are understandable, as the idea of a public protest
is still very young in Singapore, in fact, an alien concept to some
as well.
The government, before taking action, will have balance control and
credibility. If they do go around arresting shoppers dressed in
black at random, what is it going to look like? I personally hope
it does not happen, but if it happens, I hope it gets covered in
the press, both foreign and local.
Just a reminder, read the post no. 17 in this thread where I quoted
the guy that started this going. will paste it again here for your
convenience :
Hi everyone.
Please remember this event is to show our displeasure over the
forced compulsory annuities that starts payouts at age 85 and
forfeits our capital upon death before 85. It is not against the
current annuities available.
Please also don't be foolish enough to get identified and marked
for life. There are many people here who have many different
agendas, please do not in a moment of anger against the government
be used by them.
We have to remember why we are going to CentrePoint dressed in
black on 8th September 2007.
8th September 2007 is a day we all go shopping in
CentrePoint, but dressed in black. When you are there,
please don't just stand there - you may get singled out - just go
shopping within CentrePoint. There is no need to be fully black
from head to toe, just either the top or bottom is black can
liao.
I am strongly against any suggestions that will identify the
participants. I disagree with wearing a black armband or a black
ribbon or anything that will sets us apart, I think it is a very
foolish idea as such items will identify us.
It will make it very much easier for the authorities to
differentiate who are the real shoppers and who are those against
the compulsory annuities scheme.
Being identified is not the name of the game. We don't intend to be
martyrs - please make sure you don't become one.
It is a citizens' effort, we don't need people like CSJ because we
are not making a political statement. We do it because we love - we
want equitable policies for ourselves and our love ones. So, please
don't be used by others for their own hidden agendas.
Shopping is not a crime. Shopping dressed in black is also not a
crime. We just want to tell the government, please think of us when
they come out with future policies. It is not our aim to bring down
the government. We just want them to know that we have feelings, we
have aspirations and we know how to think and in future, when they
come up with policies, they should be equitable policies.
So, just go shopping with friends and relatives - no need for
heroics. And for maximum impact, it will be good if all of us can
be there from 4pm onwards. Can you just imagine an entire
CentrePoint building of shoppers dressed in black? Shopping is a
national pastime, so let's just go shopping on the 8th September
2007 dressed in black in CentrePoint for a good cause!
