EYEWITNESS My son was well aware that Bersih 2.0 would mean a lot to him and myself and for a good reason.

On the eve of Bersih 2.0 we had to map out a strategy to enter the city! There were going to be road blocks and closures and it would be extremely difficult to enter the city driving or through public transport.

NONE To overcome this obstacle, we called up a few hotels around town and finally managed to get a room overlooking the Merdeka Stadium.

That night, we heard that the police were conducting room checks, looking out for the 91 most wanted on the list. We had the so-called "illegal" t-shirts in our room, which my son quickly stashed into the car to avoid any trouble.

Next morning, we noticed policeman on the deserted roads and around our hotel. We wanted to leave but were delayed by their presence.

After a while, we got onto the street heading towards Pudu Plaza. At the roundabout near Dewan Pustaka we noticed groups of policemen checking on the people.

Bersih shouts perk up spirit

We took a detour to Masjid Negara expecting a crowd and had to weave through the roads to avoid attention. When we walked past the old railway station, we immediately heard shouts of, "Bersih, Bersih, Bersih!" We realized that we were not alone and our spirits improved.

As we walked towards Masjid Negara, we saw an elderly lady being stopped by the police.

We immediately escaped by going down the road leading to the back of the railway station where we spotted scattered groups sitting or standing under some trees.

We met two lawyers there and I asked one of them, "Sir what do we do next?" and his response was to gather in small groups and wait for the signal. The "illegal" T-shirt was of great concern.

We were very tempted to leave our t-shirts tucked away in a safe corner of a building but decided not to and carried them along.

Suddenly at about noon, out of the blue, an enormous crowd marched from nowhere along the riverside, chanting. We quickly joined the crowd and moved towards the Loke Yew Building. We came to a halt as fumes suddenly rose and water cannons shot streams of water.

We ran helter-skelter across the bridge into the Bangkok Bank area. Unperturbed, we gathered again, even more determined.There were roadblocks and so we were herded towards Maybank.

Divine rain trumps tear gas

The crowd swelled when another group came in from Jalan Pudu. There I met YB Liew Chin Tong and we exchanged words of encouragement.

NONE Then the bell from the red truck rang and canisters of teargas were shot into the crowd , sending the protesters scrambling up the hill and trees at Maybank.

This time the teargas caught us and our faces and eyes were burning and we were running and suffocating. If you had a blocked artery you would have been knocked out. I believe the divine heard our cries and groans and rain poured from above.

We gathered again. Then came YB Sivarasa and YB Nga in their yellow T-shirts. They walked towards the FRU and did some negotiations.

YB Sivarasa said that a green light had been given and we could march to the stadium. There was great jubilation and applause from the crowd.

NONE We were then instructed to sit at the roadside opposite the Tung Shin Hospital. After a while we heard the bell ring again, straightaway got up and ran in different directions.

Some ran into the hospital while my son and I ran towards the church to seek refuge. In the midst of running I was offered salt. As I ran on, a guy in great agony was shouting for water. I gave him a few sips from my tumbler before running into the church.

Though the strong grille gate was closed, the FRU, with their batons, rolled the gate away and continued pursuing us.

We scrambled and jumped over the wall beside the car park. I couldn't remember the height of the wall but all I knew was that my son and a complete stranger hauled me up the wall.

We continued our run and journeyed towards the San Peng Flats, hoping to enter the stadium.

Despite all the hassle, the "illegal" T-shirts were still in our possession. At some point in time we had to say goodbye to our T-shirts for our own safety.

We continued our journey towards the Chinese Assembly Hall but discovered that a big reel of barbed wire had been rolled across the road leading to the stadium. We knew we had to go home.

Though the ultimate goal was not accomplished, there was still a sense of great joy and satisfaction that on that day, we walked, talked, and ran as one Malaysia.

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What gov't shoots tear gas at unarmed citizens?

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For once, I did not feel alone

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Why Daddy chose to stand with the crowd

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Bersih 2.0: Arrested and sent to Pulapol

'Dataran Maybank has become my Tahrir Square'

Merdeka when I was six, true democracy at 60?

The standoff at Puduraya and Tung Shin Hospital

Bersih KL Sentral chronicle: The group that got away

CHRISTY TEOH draws her strength and guidance from God and believes in justice and fairness.

This series relates eyewitness accounts of the Bersih 2.0 July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur for clean and fair elections.