AFP
Police detain Aussie "bear" as Queen starts Singapore visit
Fri Mar 17, 5:47 AM ET
SINGAPORE (AFP) - Singapore police detained an Australian
animal-rights activist dressed in a bear suit as Queen Elizabeth II
began a sentimental state visit to this former British
colony.
Jodi Ruckley, a 33-year-old Sydney activist from People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), was questioned after she wore
the bear suit and displayed a placard saying "God save the bears"
near the Istana palace.
The protest had no effect on the schedule of the queen, who
reviewed a guard of honour at the Istana and met Singapore
President S.R. Nathan.
Queen Elizabeth is on her first visit since 1989 to Singapore,
where lasting reminders of Britain's imperial glory remain although
much has changed in bilateral relations since Singapore's
independence in 1965.
The protester, Ruckley, said after being released that her brief
detention had prevented her from making the queen aware of PETA's
opposition to the use of Canadian black bear pelts for the Queen's
Guards' ceremonial bearskin hats.
Ruckley said police had released her with a warning but, in a call
to AFP, she threatened renewed protests during the queen's two-day
visit, saying she was prepared to risk further police action on
behalf of the bears.
"To tell you the truth it is risky but... that's nothing compared
to what they're going through," she said.
Protests are banned in tightly-governed Singapore unless organisers
obtain a police permit in advance.
The brief demonstration occurred just hours before the queen's
husband Prince Philip attended the formal opening of environmental
group WWF International's office in Singapore.
He is the president emeritus of the organisation, which also works
for the protection of endangered species.
"We are not giving up till they change to synthetic fur," PETA
spokesman Jason Baker told reporters of the bear-inspired
protests.
Earlier protests staged here by PETA have been against fastfood
chain KFC and the treatment of sheep in Australia.
A police spokesman said the PETA demonstrator was released after
being taken away in a police van.
"Officers interviewed the person and checked on her to find out the
purpose of her being there. Thereafter, she was advised to leave as
it was inappropriate for her to be there," the spokesman
said.
Later Friday the queen toured one of the public housing blocks,
where most Singaporeans live. A child presented her with a shawl
and the queen had a reunion with a Singaporean family she first met
in 1972, and she served a rattan ball during a traditional Malay
game known as sepak takraw.
After a state banquet Friday night, the queen's visit is to
conclude Saturday with her awarding the winner's cup at the Queen
Elizabeth II horse race at the Singapore Turf Club.
It is her third visit to the former British colony where, according
to a veteran Singaporean diplomat, she enjoys "universal" respect
and admiration.
"The queen is no stranger to Singapore and Singaporeans are
familiar with the very high standards she has steadfastly and
regally maintained in office despite the changing times and the
difficulties in her own personal life," the diplomat told
AFP.
"Especially for the older Singaporeans, who have grown with the
queen, her majesty is one lovely person. She is also seen as the
person who single-handedly, with her unquestionable integrity and
enormous diplomatic skills, has kept the monarchy alive and
respected," he added.
The United States and China have long eclipsed Britain in
importance to Singapore, and Singapore's political and judicial
systems have evolved away from the British standard. But the two
countries still enjoy strong diplomatic, economic, military and
cultural ties.
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