World Bank : Singapore Should Waive Ban on Outdoor Protests

last SG · 2006-08-23T16:14:11+00:00

throw in protest goodie bags.....contain inflatable clapper, metal water bottles, gas masks and pebbles. or yah....plus a bottle of kerosense and a lippo lig...

oxford mushroom SG

Washington DC, April 2000:
The spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund drew about 10,000 protesters.

Although activists failed to shut down the two meetings, as in Seattle, they caused great inconvenience and generated much publicity.

Arrests: 1,300 people
Protests and security measures: Most of the protests were good natured. There was little violence but some pepper spray was used by police

Prague, September 2000:
The annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF drew several thousand protesters and sparked two days of violence.

The conference closed a day earlier than planned because of the violence.

Molotov c_ocktails and paving stones were hurled at police and a group of demonstrators came close to storming a hotel where many delegates were staying

Arrests: 400 people
Protesters: There were fewer ecological and anti-globalisation protesters than at Seattle, more small left-wing political parties from Germany, Italy, France and Britain.
Security measures: Tear gas, water cannon, police helicopters and balaclava-clad marksmen were used.

Quebec City, April 2001:
Violence spilled onto the streets of the Canadian city as it hosted the Summit of the Americas.

Thousands of protesters against free trade gathered.

Arrests: 400 people
Protesters: Demonstrators started fires, broke shop windows and threw petrol bombs
Security arrangements: Police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets.

Gothenburg, June 2001:
European Union leaders held a summit in Sweden to discuss the expansion of the EU in 2004.

Police were unprepared for the protests that hit Gothenburg. They were heavily outnumbered, and three protesters were shot with live ammunition.

Arrests: 500 people
Damage: Estimated to be millions of dollars. The city's main shopping street was serious damaged
Security measures: Barriers, shields and clubs were not enough to contain violent protesters. Dozens of police were injured
Protesters: Anti-globalisation and anti-EU protesters threw fireworks and stones at police, and pulled mounted police off their horses. Control was restored on the final day of the summit and peaceful mass protest took place.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1432012.stm

Dogtor SG

NO ---

Only Singaporeans can organize protests in Singapore

There could be agent provocateurs in non-Singaporean led non-governmental organizations

Only Singaporeans can be provocateurs overseas to strengthen Singaporean interests overseas

Foreigners acting against Singapore elsewhere can also be charged under Singapore law - enact law of extra-territoriality for foreigners

Extra-ordinary rendition of such foreign criminals explicitly permitted under Singapore consitution and law

See PRO-SINGAPORE laws

countdracula SG

the police should show the world that they can do more than containing 30 brown protestors…..

wisefool83 SG

Why should we allow protestors to stage their protest and demostration in Singapore? We know that these protest serve no purpose other than creating trouble, they often result in violet clashes, injuries, arrests and maybe even death. And at the end of the day, are their message heed? No! Demostration is a show of power; why would we want other people to show their power in our place? We want to see their reasons, not power!

ditzy SG

Because it is tradition mah. Singapore is trying to ruin that tradition. Laughing

the Bear SG

like the mushroom has said, a lot of these protests end up in huge whacking all-out fights....

so.. if you want to see downtown orchard road reduced to rubble, or you want to see your neighbourhood chap huay tiam looted, or your own little bit of HDBland or suburb turned into a charred, smoky, combat zone littered in broken glass, rocks and other debris, go ahead.. have your outdoor demos..

as much as i hate the IMF for being economic dictator overlords, i hate the anarchists and mayhem-mongers as much..

Anycall SG

If the protest is a stationary one that I think its no problem holding it outdoors. But if its going to be like a march, then it will cause quite a jam on the roads.

the Bear SG

the past IMF demonstrations were supposed to be peaceful ones too..

please check for common factor in all of them Laughing

vito_corleone SG

since they sent vans of riot police against 4 unarmed protesters not long ago, this time they should send half of the army over to control the situation Laughing

Anycall SG

Actually I don't know much about what happened at these IMF protest. I 've only seen those carried out in HongKong. They had to have police escorts and road blocks. Jam like crazy Laughing

Were previous IMF protests violent? Smile

the Bear SG

Seattle:

Hong Kong:

and already.. there have been plans to make Singapore a mess... click here => Target: Singapore

LazerLordz SG

I'm okay for fenced up areas with armed guards, as long as we don't remove their voice to be heard. It's voices, not wanton destruction.

Any destruction of property, you give me a bat, and I'll smash that asshole who starts it. Mad

And on second thought, we need the civil space for public peaceful protest. As above, anyone who goes off tangent and starts to wreak havoc, smash him in knees. I don't care.

the Bear SG

what difference is there betweeen fenced spaces and indoors then?

LazerLordz SG

Why risk them tearing up the interior of Suntec City?

The stifling heat outdoors will make them less energetic for any violent action.People had to take their chances in the rain, heat and what not, why should we give them airconditioned spaces indoors.

This is for those anarchic worms, not real individuals who are interested in peaceful dialogue sessions with the WB chaps.

the Bear SG

ahhh... you don't know, do you?

in an enclosed place, if anyone tries violence or vandalism, it is contained... and they cannot run..

they have physical barriers and the cops can move in as they are already contained...

outside, where it is hot, stuffy, wet... violence is quick to spark as there is simmering anger fuelled by heat

sgdiehard SG

sorry, you are stretching your imagination too far, there is too much exaggeration here. we are not talking about israeli lebanese war here. The demonstrators for WTO and IMF are not interested in demonstrating in any HDBland, for what? they don't fly all the way here to demonstrate for the sake of demonstration. Any demonstration will be around Suntec where the participants to the convention could see, where their voices could be heard from inside the meetings (hopefully). Unless we only allow them to speak at the Hong Lim Park or the speakers corner, which, for singaporean, should be situated next to the parliament house.

Many of the demonstrations that turned violent with destruction happened because locals hooligans joined in to vent their frustration for other reasons. In america even a 10 min blackout you will find looting. WTO demonstrators don't fly here to loot chap huay tiam. Check with the people in HK, you even find some very interesting stories about encounters between HK lady police and the demonstrators.

WTO and IMF meetings come with the freedom of expression, and demonstration is an integral part of it. We cannot just want the money and reputation for hosting the meetings but disallowing opposition to speak. Singapore ways are for Singaporean only. Embarassed WTO and IMF is an international event.

Hours after the demonstrations in HK, life was back to normal, business as usual, but what happened there was an illustration that the decisions makers for the world and those affected by their decisions and disagree could meet, in their different ways. HK has not suffered any incurable damage from the demonstration. HK police have proven themselves capable of facing the south korean farmers. HK society was resilient enough to absorb some disturbance to their busy life. Such is an international city.

What about Singapore? is our society likely to collapse as a result of the demonstration or our riot police not capable of facing any major event?? may be they are trained to handle local opposition only. Mr. Green Embarassed

I was there in HK during the WTO, I walked by the demonstrators, I saw how the HK police encountered the demonstrator from about 50 meters. I would be ashamed of the singaporean leaders if they think they could not handle similiar situation.

the Bear SG

if you can prevent mayhem, would you?

let's march to your estate.. or bypass your estate? would you?

ultimately, these demonstrators have a cause to be angry.. but emotions are high and there is simmering anger..

agitators are always around during these things...

this isn't "someone else's city and problem" anymore.. it is my backyard..

what if they trash your dad's shop in the riot? would you be saying the same thing?

sgdiehard SG

The idea is not to allow them to do whatever they like, but to provide a way out. imagine what might happen in singapore. meeting is in Suntec, government is closing nicholl highway anyway. They can be allowed to gather at kallang stadium car park and match to Suntec.

if they gather in front of isetana then match along bras basah to suntec, or gather at padang then of course we cannot allow.

they will have a long distance to match if want to start from my estate.

of course they have a course to demonstration and to be angry, or else they won't fly all the way here. lets not add another reason for them to be angry. even pressure cooker need a vent.

if what WTO and IMF decide affect us adversely, I would want to have a way to show them my displeasure. If i protest only if it doesn't concern me or not in my own backyard, then we don't deserve to be part of WTO. Remember, it is WTO that is requesting us to waive the ban.

I will be there at my brother's shop inside Suntec city, we are looking forward to better business. dont' jump into conclusion that a demonstration will definitely turn into a riot.

Atobe SG

Violence or no violence - if Singaporeans are not allowed to protest in public places, and legislations prevent any assembly of more then three, why make any exception simply for foreigners, or for the sake of 'good appearance', or to appear 'politically correct' ?

Singapore's reputation has been set on good law and order, and orderliness to the dot - where parking a car facing the wrong direction is an offense even in an unused street !!!!

Why should this supposedly 'PROUD-TO-BE' First World Singaporeans be treated with less equality than those visitors, who are supposedly from the First World countries ?

Why should our 'First World' country bow to the pressure of other 'First World' countries ?

What does it speak of our Singapore 'First World' Politicians ?

oxford mushroom SG

Based on their past record, demonstrations at these meetings tend to turn violent.

However, we must give them some space for such demonstrations or risk having them go underground and demonstrate in a dozen different places in the HDB heartland. Perhaps one possibility is to suround an area of the Padang with high fences and barbed wire for those who want to demonstrate in open air. Have limited number of entrances and exits, concentrate police and army presence with armed Gurkhas and riot vehicles. Those who want to go and observe the demonstrations enter at their risk.

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