Time for a "Protest Corner"?
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Time for a "Protest Corner"?
Ever since Myanmar entered a state of mayhem, the issue of peaceful assembly has surfaced in Singapore once again.
The two issues became intertwined when Burmese around the world gathered on the streets of their newfound home countries to protest against the cruelty of the Junta military government, accompanied by their newfound countrymen.
There were perceptions that the responses of the Burmese community in Singapore and their citizen counterparts became somewhat muted in the hands of the authorities.
This stood out like a sore thumb when measured against the treatment by governments towards similar protests in other countries around the world.
The Singapore government has, to its modest credit, allowed only pockets of peaceful gatherings in the island state - indoors - whereas a local student whose online application to conduct an outdoor protest out of support for his Burmese friends was rejected.
In my view, it is perhaps time to ponder over the idea of establishing an outdoor "Protest Corner" in Singapore.
Just like how it erected a "Speakers' Corner" in Hong Lim Park at the start of September 2000 to facilitate public-delivered speeches, the "Protest Corner" can facilitate public-initiated civil society action - albeit with rules necessary though not necessarily appreciated.
Never mind that the Speakers' Corner today is nearly as silent as a wall because if the "Protest Corner" results in the same, all the more there should be no reason for the authorities to lose sleep over it.
Article 14, clause (A) of the Singapore Constitution, under "Freedom of speech, assembly and association", states "every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression".
14 (B) continues with "all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms".
At this point, (C) being "all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations" as well as the exception clauses (2) and (3) are irrelevant to and accordingly omitted from this discussion.
Relatively speaking, the Speakers' Corner fulfilled the requirements of 14 (A) and a "Protest Corner" could serve to fulfill 14 (B).
There are three foremost reasons why this idea should be seriously considered.
Firstly, the government can be saved the embarrassment of not satisfying clauses etched in the Constitution that it neither cannot nor desires of it to be rid of and therefore, is justifiably expected of any government to defend arduously.
Otherwise, it may fail to convince quarters of Singaporeans who decry that the exception clauses are upheld more often than what lies outside them.
Secondly, it will allow groups of people to assemble peacefully out of their beliefs for human rights without infringing upon the human rights of the rest of the non-participating Singaporeans, who may find themselves obstructed from their next appointment due to protests occurring at an unanticipated time and place getting in their way.
The principle of this is the same as to why governments "occupy" certain "terrain" to prevent black markets from taking root.
Thirdly and finally, it serves as a good training ground for the Singapore police to handle and manage crowds, an area they are predictably not experienced in and may overreact in the event of further developments in circumstances.
http://melvintansg.blogspot.com/2007/10/time-for-protest-corner.html -
Let say, to the surprise of every Singaporeans, that the government allows the establishment of a Protest Corner, wont they set a biased criteria for application?
Eg: no criticisms of Government, its policies, PAP etc. Hence, like the Speaker Corner, Protest corner will soon fade away from the limelight and memories of most ordinary Singaporeans. -
A quick response
If it was silly enough to do it, then it shouldn't fault anyone else for any unanticipated outbreaks.
At this point of time, the scenario does not apply to Speakers' Corner. There has been more non-PAP and anti-PAP speeches than pro-PAP speeches ever in its history. Based on knowledge, the ratio is nearly 100:0
I trust the same principle for any "Protest Corner".
Regards -
and this corner will come with a long list of terms and conditions, do and do-nots, and weird opening hours when no one is free.
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True. But while Speakers' Corner opens until 7 pm on weekdays, it is open for the same hours on weekends.Originally posted by FireIce:and this corner will come with a long list of terms and conditions, do and do-nots, and weird opening hours when no one is free.
If you noticed, some protestors can carry out their activities on weekdays daytime for consecutive days. I wonder what they do for a living
In my view, I believe most of the many in the internet who call for legalising outdoor protests will themselves be indisposed to participate in them when it is indeed legalised or when a "Protest Corner" is set up.
Regards -
BTW..... is anyone still going to the "Speakers' Corner". I thought it has die a natural death already.......
I doutb a ''Protest Corner'' will be of much used...... Govt will have lots of guideline and need all those protester to put down their names..... And we all know how 'Brave' S'poreans are when it comes to putting down their particulars.
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I can foresee 'Protest Corner" becoming "Boxing Ring Corner". I would be interested to collect bets.Originally posted by FireIce:and this corner will come with a long list of terms and conditions, do and do-nots, and weird opening hours when no one is free. -
A protest corner? Gotta be kidding. Again, Singaporeans look to the govt to approve anything and everything they want to do - even a protest and where to conduct it!
Amazing. No wonder we aren't going anywhere.. -
Originally posted by hloc:
I believe Speakers' Corner faded primarily because those who called for it, such as members of political discussion groups and netizens, did not utilise the place. They wanted a free-speech venue - for other Singaporeans, not themselves.
BTW..... is anyone still going to the [b]"Speakers' Corner". I thought it has die a natural death already.......
I doutb a ''Protest Corner'' will be of much used...... Govt will have lots of guideline and need all those protester to put down their names..... And we all know how 'Brave' S'poreans are when it comes to putting down their particulars. [/b]
Of course, the restrictions were another cause - primarily the ban on microphones.
I notice that since the Speakers' Corner was set up, freedom of speech has become a less-discussed topic. In the past (late 90s) it dominated a discussion board. Even acts of illegal speeches have now switched to illegal protests.
As for "safety", personally, I have recorded about 5 times with the Kreta Ayer Police Post and am still in one piece Really, to actively participate in politics (party or activism), one can come out in one piece. Avoid doing it alone and seek guidance. Some may see bravery as the "right way" and do not want to participate in an "easy way" but these self-defined parameters are sometimes used as reasons for avoidance from politics.
This will also be a litmus test on the society.
Regards -
i passed by the Speakers' Corner quite often last time when i was working nearby
alotta lao uncles sleeping there or sit around and la hong, chit chat -
The Speakers' Corner was already consigned to die when it was first mooted. Singaporeans cannot speak. They talk only!Originally posted by FireIce:i passed by the Speakers' Corner quite often last time when i was working nearby
alotta lao uncles sleeping there or sit around and la hong, chit chat -
Later the government approve it and set it in some ulu places
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Lim Chu Kang area......
They will set up a police station next to it and a division of riot police will be based there for 24 hours to prevent any violence from breaking out -
dun lah, pls lah no protest corner lah. Wait many many silent style protest like Black Saturday then you know. Protest in a safe and mild manner for what? dun protest lah. so bad wan.
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A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step.Originally posted by reddressman:dun lah, pls lah no protest corner lah. Wait many many silent style protest like Black Saturday then you know. Protest in a safe and mild manner for what? dun protest lah. so bad wan.
The wear black peaceful non-violent protest on Saturday may be subdued but to many it is a very significant though small first step.
All forumers could use this collective silent and peaceful dissent or protest to demonstrate any disagreements with any draconian or harsh measures to ask for change.
Starting a protest corner will be inviting more control and more regulation and will not be real.
Let this kind of peaceful wear-black protest be spread and gather momentum until it eventually take root as citizens' method of asking for change from peaceful means. -
Protest?
Will it incites violence when extremist joins in?.
It cause traffic jams. It creates fears in people. It may result in curfews. Opportunist may rob and loot while Police are sent to control protest.
Dun like your idea at all. -
Thus a protest corner for the police to control....though the capacity would be limited in any case. However, Chee and others would rubbish it....Originally posted by Troy437:Protest?
Will it incites violence when extremist joins in?.
It cause traffic jams. It creates fears in people. It may result in curfews. Opportunist may rob and loot while Police are sent to control protest.
Dun like your idea at all. -
hmm...Originally posted by Troy437:Protest?
Will it incites violence when extremist joins in?.
It cause traffic jams. It creates fears in people. It may result in curfews. Opportunist may rob and loot while Police are sent to control protest.
Dun like your idea at all.
or you want to pay 90% GST in future and you are working very hard to meet ends while those at the top were making errors in their investment and taking more n more money to cover the losses? -
Actually before Speakers' Corner was set up, there was constant lobbying for a venue for free speech, like Hyde Park in London. (I think JBJ was instrumental in that)Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:The Speakers' Corner was already consigned to die when it was first mooted. Singaporeans cannot speak. They talk only!
The present Speakers' Corner was clearly implemented to stop the lobbying, and it succeeded.
Its like, you've got your Speakers' Corner,.... now what?
Silence.
"Protest Corner"?
Don't sound nice.
Furthermore there must be an avenue for marches.
Therefore a misnomer would sound better. "Freedom Alley".?
Roads like Jalan Bahar, would be ideal.
For marches during daylight hours would be under the blazing sun.
And not many people lives would be affected, ahem..some farmers maybe. (Sorry about that, Ivy-Singh Lim)
And of course, APPLY FIRST! -
If Speakers' Corner is deserted it is not because people do not speak it is because it is not a true speakers' corner where one could speak naturally on their true feeling or about truths or criticisms of what went wrong in the running of the country.Originally posted by mancha:Actually before Speakers' Corner was set up, there was constant lobbying for a venue for free speech, like Hyde Park in London. (I think JBJ was instrumental in that)
The present Speakers' Corner was clearly implemented to stop the lobbying, and it succeeded.
Its like, you've got your Speakers' Corner,.... now what?
Silence.
"Protest Corner"?
Don't sound nice.
Furthermore there must be an avenue for marches.
Therefore a misnomer would sound better. "Freedom Alley".?
Roads like Jalan Bahar, would be ideal.
For marches during daylight hours would be under the blazing sun.
And not many people lives would be affected, ahem..some farmers maybe. (Sorry about that, Ivy-Singh Lim)
And of course, APPLY FIRST!
Speaking implies freedom to speak without all the permits and all the defamation laws waiting to be pounced on citizens who might speak up that hurt the pride of power that be.
We have already seen too much persecutions of those who speak up from the francis to the little mr. brown.
The fault is not with citizens are not trying and are to be blamed again and again. We have a system which controls the freedoms and rights of all citizens such that it is no longer possible to grow intellectually and everything put up like speaker corner or forum page in the newspapers are sheer pretences with no true intention to permit or encourage growth or vibrancy.
Our great leaders once asked "Why are we not like HongKong where businesses seem to be full of fizz and vibrancy.
He forgot to ask himself whether he was the cause.
Let us not lose sight of what went wrong with our society or system and consistently work towards changing what is wrong and get over the stifling of freedoms and choices which are the root cause of all our problems.
It is through citizens being free and able to exercise their freedoms and rights that we could strive to build a good and progressive country and humanity, -
Originally posted by robertteh:
Being a super Gazellian supporter, even I cannot say your views are flawed.
A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step.
The wear black peaceful non-violent protest on Saturday may be subdued but to many it is [b]a very significant though small first step.
All forumers could use this collective silent and peaceful dissent or protest to demonstrate any disagreements with any draconian or harsh measures to ask for change.
Starting a protest corner will be inviting more control and more regulation and will not be real.
Let this kind of peaceful wear-black protest be spread and gather momentum until it eventually take root as citizens' method of asking for change from peaceful means.[/b]
I think and thinked. I cannot find a reason to arrest these black supporters shopping in their favorite T-shirts. One kind of thing I suspect may happen is a signal like the case of people complain sg no freedom to voice out like hyde park, something may be introduced to signal that even this silencer style can lead one to trouble. This is only my uneducated, wild wild guess based on a nightmare I had last night.
As of now, I cannot find any way to stop this black saturday from being carried out , if someone 'crazy' enough wants to launch it again. Tho I cannot find a way, this does not indicate I support it. In fact, as I gazellianly pointed out, I am not going to say I am in favor of this, in public. I remain neutral in the public eye. Gazelle, I am with you. TheGoodMotherEarth too and some others u know hu
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Generally speaking, I know where you are coming from but the lack of speech freedom is stretched and by so, the use of certain examples.Originally posted by robertteh:If Speakers' Corner is deserted it is not because people do not speak it is because it is not a true speakers' corner where one could speak naturally on their true feeling or about truths or criticisms of what went wrong in the running of the country.
Speaking implies freedom to speak without all the permits and all the defamation laws waiting to be pounced on citizens who might speak up that hurt the pride of power that be.
We have already seen too much persecutions of those who speak up from the francis to the little mr. brown.
The fault is not with citizens are not trying and are to be blamed again and again. We have a system which controls the freedoms and rights of all citizens such that it is no longer possible to grow intellectually and everything put up like speaker corner or forum page in the newspapers are sheer pretences with no true intention to permit or encourage growth or vibrancy.
Our great leaders once asked "Why are we not like HongKong where businesses seem to be full of fizz and vibrancy.
He forgot to ask himself whether he was the cause.
Let us not lose sight of what went wrong with our society or system and consistently work towards changing what is wrong and get over the stifling of freedoms and choices which are the root cause of all our problems.
It is through citizens being free and able to exercise their freedoms and rights that we could strive to build a good and progressive country and humanity,
Francis Seow (if I assume is referring to him) was not fugitived due to something he said but PAP dug out something from his records. Tang Liang Hong was, but they are all politicians, not people who go to Speakers' Corner.
Mr Brown was censored by TODAY and had his column dropped. Yes, MICA overreacted. But was in no way persecuted. He still has his blog running. TODAY is no big deal.
No one has been sued for defamation for speaking at Speakers' Corner. The only one who was charged (not sued) was Chee who spoke on the tudung issue which was a racial issue banned from being highlighted at Speakers' Corner. Tan Kim Chuang and former SPP (Vice Chairman?) S Kunalen has made the most number of speeches (more than 200 each?), being there every weekend. Nothing happened.
A lot of fear is perceived because we use wrong examples and without looking at the various cases as individual ones and examine them with more detail.
On closer look, the only thing that can get one of these suits is if one implies legal impropriety on a person's part. I don't fully agree that such things cannot be questioned because, PAP wants proof before you raise such allegations, but if you don't ask, you don't know.
Then again, if PAP relents, will people use this privilege to score political points until the government cannot work? And if the government cannot work, won't the people suffer?
I have also raised this example before many times over last 10 years that Chiam See Tong sued two ministers for alleging that the former plotted the SIA illegal strike in 1982 (when it was another SDP member whom Chiam and the CEC expelled) and Chiam won out of court settlement.
Regards -
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