A peaceful protest by SDP ends in arrest of 15 members and supporters

March 15, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Breaking News, SDP 

SDP held a peaceful protest march today (15 March 2008) entitled “Tak Boleh Tahan!”, in conjunction with World Consumer Rights Day. The purpose of the protest was to highlight the plight of Singapore consumers in the face of rapidly rising inflation. Exorbitant ministerial salaries are also a slap in the face for Singaporeans who are struggling to make ends meet while bearing the brunt of 7% GST and escalating food and fuel prices.

There were around 20 people participating in today’s event, wearing red T-shirts with the words “Tak Boleh Tahan” in white. Around a dozen other people excluding reporters tagged along, showing their support even though they were not decked in red.

In front of the Parliament House, the protest group highlighted the recent price hikes by displaying an array of consumer goods which included a loaf of “unbranded” bread, a pack of rice, a tin of Milo, instant noodles, biscuits, condensed milk and cooking oil.

After a few words by some members of the protest group in front of Parliament House to the reporters present, the group picked up their placards and headed towards Funan Centre.

The police warned the group repeatedly that they were conducting an illegal activity, and wanted to seize the placards. The group refused to hand over their items.

While the protesters locked their arms together to safeguard their properties, the police picked the first protester, forcefully pulled him out from the tightly inter-locked group, and swiftly dragged him to one of the police vans parked nearby. Then they went back to work on their 2nd victim. Making their arrests one by one, the police made several rounds of arrests in front of a big crowd of onlookers.

About 15 people were arrested, including the SDP CEC members, as well as other supporters like Chia Ti Lik, Shaffie, Kai Xiong, amongst others. They were bundled into the police vans and sent to the Cantonment Police headquarters. Later on, when some family members of protesters went to the police HQ and tried to find out more about the list of people getting arrested and their charges, the police refused to give any information.

As of 9.20pm, the protestors are being bailed out. More information will be provided shortly. Pictures are attached as follows:

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