Over 100 demonstrators march to 'blockade' US Embassy

Over 100 demonstrators marched from Menara TH Tun Razak to the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as they partake in the six-day “blockade” in solidarity with Palestine tonight.

The group was chanting “Bebas, bebas! Bebas Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” while holding Palestinian and Malaysian flags along with placards that read “US Embassy is nest for terrorists” as they marched towards the embassy.

Earlier, demonstrators had laid an Israeli flag on the road of Jalan Tun Razak as cars drove on it.

An estimated 30 police officers can be seen observing the protest, with seven vehicles lined up by the roadside on Jalan Tun Razak.

A Black Maria was also seen obstructing the road leading to the US Embassy, with a few officers nearby.

The collective group - dubbed Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin - said the picket was held in response to the US vetoing efforts by the UN to push for a ceasefire in Gaza amid a continued assault by Israel.

The group consists of 35 CSOs, 15 student groups and 13 political parties from both sides of the political divide.

Standing their grounds

Among party leaders present were MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong Yew Chuan, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi , former Batu MP Tian Chua who is also part of Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin, Amanah Youth treasurer Sheikh Khuzaifah Sheikh Abu Bakar and PAS Youth information chief Khairul Nadzir Helmi Azhar.

However, the demonstrators were stopped by the police approximately 200m from the embassy.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the police did not receive any notice from the organisers that a “blockade” would be held in front of the US embassy.

While the police are sympathetic towards the plight of the Palestinians, Allaudeen stressed that the police’s responsibility is to safeguard public safety, including the embassies and foreign representatives in the country.

Despite the police’s advice, the secretariat stood their grounds and pitched five tents on the curb of Jalan Tun Razak, under a pedestrian bridge opposite The Icon tower.

The picket, the secretariat said, is in response to the US vetoing efforts by the UN to push for a ceasefire in Gaza amid a continued assault by Israel.

The collective group consists of 35 CSOs, 15 student groups and 13 political parties.

Among them include the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim), Sisters in Islam (SIS), Bersih, the Malaysian Punjabi Youth Movement, the various university wings of political parties, Muda, PSM, Pejuang, and the youth wings of PAS, PKR, Amanah, Bersatu, DAP, MCA and Umno (Puteri Umno).

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