Candlelight Vigil At Bukit Aman

There will be a candlelight vigil held in front of the gates at Bukit Aman tonight at 8.30 p.m with leading the pack would be the NUJ journalists and the netizens. So do come along.

Another thing that you need to know is the clear definition between a vigil and a protest march:

Vigil:

1.	wakefulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping.

2.	a watch or a period of watchful attention maintained at night or at other times: The nurse kept her vigil at the bedside of the dying man.

3.	a period of wakefulness from inability to sleep.

4.	Ecclesiastical. a. a devotional watching, or keeping awake, during the customary hours of sleep. b. Sometimes, vigils. a nocturnal devotional exercise or service, esp. on the eve before a church festival. c. the eve, or day and night, before a church festival, esp. an eve that is a fast.

Protest:

1.	an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid: a protest against increased taxation.

2.	Commerce. a. a formal notarial certificate attesting the fact that a check, note, or bill of exchange has been presented for acceptance or payment and that it has been refused. b. the action taken to fix the liability for a dishonored bill of exchange or note.

3.

Law. a. (upon one's payment of a tax or other state or city exaction) a formal statement disputing the legality of the demand. b. a written and attested declaration made by the master of a ship stating the circumstances under which some damage has happened to the ship or cargo, or other circumstances involving the liability of the officers, crew, etc.

4.	Sports. a formal objection or complaint made to an official.

–verb (used without object)

5.	to give manifest expression to objection or disapproval; remonstrate.

6.	to make solemn or earnest declaration.

–verb (used with object)

7.	to make a protest or remonstrance against; object to.

8.	to say in protest or remonstrance.

9.	to declare solemnly or earnestly; affirm; assert.

10.	to make a formal declaration of the nonacceptance or nonpayment of (a bill of exchange or note).

11.	Obsolete. to call to witness.

Before the authorities ever think of arresting people gathering in front, clearly differentiate between vigil and protest. I mean this. The problem is that the definition between these two words could be blurred and authorities might decide to take every one in..another bad comments in the report card.

So do watch this space if there are updates from there.

Updates:

Yep, you bet it, the police never understood the meaning of vigil and protest. They keep thinking that group gathering is a protest and an illegal assembly. I wish if I have bullhorn to bark back at them! :)


The entrance point to Bukit Aman is blocked with police. No one is allowed to enter in. As I was some of the bloggers, the crowd came out - I think roughly 300. And later, this OCPD, Zulkarnain's lapdog (can't remember his name) was pushing for everyone to disperse. As things goes, they started bringing the FRUs with batons and gas grenade launchers.


At one point they gathered at one circle and they were chanting 'Mansuh ISA'.



Seperated by the rest, I was with Howsy throughout the vigil, and walked using the route towards the National Mosque. But this would be the stop point and the lead organizer gave a speech before we walked back. While walking everyone was instructed to put off their candles.



The police was tailing everyone from behind - both directions in their cars, and the OCPD bastard (third from left) was pursuing them with intimidation messages. 'Disperse or we will take action'. Here above, is that while we're going back to the turning entrance.


Anyhow, this OCPD fellow should be sacked or transferred elsewhere.