Pro-Hong Kong rally takes place in carpark after forced change of venue
In solidarity with the protest against the Hong Kong extradition bill, a group of 70 people attended the "929 Global Anti Totalitarianism" rally at a carpark in Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur tonight.
The venue for the rally was initially planned to be held at an empty space along Jalan Belfield near the Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)...
In solidarity with the protest against the Hong Kong extradition bill, a group of 70 people attended the "929 Global Anti-Totalitarianism" rally at a carpark in Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur tonight.
The venue for the rally was initially planned to be held at an empty space along Jalan Belfield near the Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
The initiator changed the venue to an open-air carpark nearby after a police report was lodged by KLSCAH executive director Lee Shok Jing last night, clarifying that the rally had nothing to do with the organisation.
Waving a colourful Lennon Wall flag, initiator of the rally Liew Liang Hong, 25, led the crowd shouting "Hongkongers, Add Oil! (Keep it up)"
He claimed that the China government added unnecessary pressure on KLSCAH to lodge a police report which forced the change of venue.
"The right to assemble is enshrined in the constitution, and the police's obligation is to ensure a peaceful assembly, not to surveil us.
"The leadership of KLSCAH did not take a strong and firm stand. They are spineless cowards! The issue in Hong Kong is not only related to its people. It is a global human rights issue," said Liew.
He urged all Malaysians to stand up for Hong Kong.
The crowd cheered when slogans such as "Five Demands! Not one fewer!" and "Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our time" were uttered in Cantonese.
There were about 15 police officers present at the rally.
Some participants gave their speeches in the Malay language and poems were recited in Cantonese.
Lee Wai Hong, a former chairperson of KLSCAH's youth section, urged China to respect the freedom of expression in Malaysia.
"Malaysians have the right to express our views. Please do not simply label us as 'anti-China'. We are here just to amplify the demands of the Hong Kong people.
"China should implement the principle of one country, two systems. With a high degree of autonomy, Hong Kong should be ruled by its people."
The crowd dispersed peacefully after signing the song "Glory to Hong Kong".
The Hong Kong extradition bill protest was started in June. Over a million people took to the streets and went against the controversial bill.
In the past three months, the protests descended into bloodshed and chaos, and the energy of the movement has kept rising.
The Global Solidarity with Hong Kong movement has seen about 40 rallies in cities across the world, spread via social media using hashtags such as #929GlobalAntiTotalitarianism and #StandWithHongKong.
There were three rallies in Malaysia and various civil society organisations, including Bersih, have expressed their support.
Chen Chen from the China Embassy in Kuala Lumpur condemned the Malaysian youths, saying they “failed to distinguish right from wrong, following mindlessly, and being self-righteous about the true meaning of democracy and freedom."
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.