Written by lainie at 11:51 PM on September 15, 2008 in Rants.

I was at the candlelight vigil last night for the ISA detainees - there were two main ones advertised, one in Taman Paramount (organised by DAP), another at Bukit Aman police station (organised by Anti-ISA Movement). My friends and I chose the Bukit Aman vigil.  

We didn't drive there, in case police roadblocks meant an entire convoy of supporters don't make the vigil. Parked outside PAM, and walked towards Lake Garden where the entrance was. Running late, but weren't alone - bumped into some other people my age, dressed in black, headed that way. Some of them from Kudeta.

As we walked, people heading back told us we had missed the vigil. One guy condescendingly said "Oh you missed it, but it's the thought that counts!". Yeahla yeahla we're a bit late, don't have to use that tone on me. Was told numerous times to head back - including once by a helpful policeman, saying no one remained. Kept walking anyway.

 People were starting to light candles again as I arrived. 

 People were still arriving when we got there.

The FRU was there too, with Black Marias (I find out the next day that they did earlier get aggro on my other more punctual friends). After some other protests, especially the Kampung Berembang one, I am wary of them. Oh well, they're an evil in vigils, protests and all other events that allow policement to come and say to you "THIS IS AN ILLEGAL GATHERING!". 

I saw Latheefa Koya. Latheefa's a human rights lawyer (understatement), and she's usually the one who negotiates with the police (if you look at photos of any local protests, she was probably one of the people near the officer, negotiating).

Our crowd was so small that the FRU packed up after a while. Not like we were left alone though - some policemen came over after, and an officer started shouting for us to put out our candles and disperse or he'd arrest the lot of us. She told him off for shouting.

That's Latheefa grinning at the spectacle this guy is causing. We did have to go though, but she got him to treat us a little better. She's quite cool to watch. Candles were put out.

"Thank you everyone for your support, your courage - please go home and tell everyone the police are afraid of a few people with candles!"

 Some mates who were wiser and drove straight to the vigil, but were too late - arrived in time to see us disperse.

Officer shooing everyone along, making sure they disperse with unlit candles.

Yes, still making sure everyone leaves.

I got shot a "What are you still standing there for?" look.

You should see some of the royal glares I get from police / fru for taking their picture. Maybe I am that fucking muka tebal because as a resident of Damansara Jaya I have to pay a private security company RM80-100 a month to patrol my area for snatchthieves. *grumble grumble send the bill to balai*. 

 After Bukit Aman vigil, I told some people there I'd friends over at the national mosque, holding another vigil. That was another long walk. But worth it, cause had some people I knew there, didn't feel so awkward. Managed to bring almost 10 people there - some of them had been at the Orang Asal walk in the morning (that one lasted 10 feet before the police stepped in), so they were tired of being ordered to disperse.

My candle at the next vigil.

Kecik!

Poster on the wall.

Sharing fire, lighting candles.

Bermula...

We actually attracted far less attention till all the police cars showed up (there were very few of us - less than 20). Then traffic slowed down to see what we were doing, and they needed even more cops to direct traffic along.

Officer zoomed in on Tate to get the rest of us to disperse - he had been leading some anti-ISA chants.

Police presence, but we kept the candles going as long as we could. The policeman pretty much started by saying something like "I know, it's tanglung festival, but you forgot the tanglungs".....He must have been hearing that at all the other vigils.

[ Actually, to clarify, it's possible to do the mooncake festival thing with just candles, sans lantern, okay? ]

More police arriving. Everytime I see cops on the political beat I wish they were looking for actual criminals.

People wearing plainsclothes berjenama iPolis, talking to the officer.

These helpful people then clear up the candles, take the poster (evidence?).

If you take a lot of photos at protests, this is the obligatory shot you will get, where police casually walk in the way of photographers, you move, they move. If you need to squat for a photo, it gives them time to move in front of you, and that is how you end up with what I call the obligagtory shot of some dude's package / butt cleavage.

When we left, this is how many police cars we attracted. We were quite clearly outnumbered. The trick behind protests is to get them to ask you to leave, as opposed to running away (cause then your chances of looking guilty and being chased down gets higher, however that works).

Tate actually talked to the officer at this time, asked him what he thought of the ISA - the police officer said he was just following orders, "his hands are tied", he's not free either.

My personal take is that he's part of the system, he's perpetuating the situation. Still, he was nice, and I'm not saying I'm settling for half the cookie, but it helps to have people in the police force who aren't out to arrest everyone.

We were bummed out from having to disperse. Those of us who take alcohol went to Ceylon bar after that for a drink (well, except farah, who had a very expensive diet cola).

Still keeping an eye out for the ISA detainees. Wish I knew what to do. But till then, vigils, protests, support, whatever. As I write this, an sms just came through informing me Anwar has announced at the Kelana Jaya stadium rally he has his 30 seats. Now, I wait.