Kuala Lumpur, 28 September 2007
Burmese Red March in the Streets of Kuala Lumpur
This morning, more than three thousand Burmese protesters , most of them wearing red marched in the street of Kuala Lumpur. They walked from Ampang Park to the Burmese Embassy, 2 kilometers away. There they had a very organized peaceful demonstration facing the local Riot police who were guarding the Embassy. Then they proceeded to the Chinese Embassy and the Russian Embassy to hand over a memorandum.
The demonstration was a joint effort of nine Burmese Organization here. Most of the protesters wore headscarf, carried posters and banners denouncing the military junta, calling for the killing to stop and demanding for democracy. Many also carried symbols symbolizing Buddha and portraits of Aung Sang Suu Kyi.
Only a handful of Malaysian were among the crowd to give solidarity. PSM’s Secretary General S.Arutchelvan in solidarity marched with the protesters to the three protest points. Among some of the organization present were SUARAM, AI and HAKAM.
The protesters were very disciplined, very organized and had the entire program carried with such discipline and precision. They marshals kept the crowd in control. Many protesters took leave while in some places, the employer had to shut down the business today as almost all the workers were gone demonstrating. Most of those present today expressed anxiety about the situation back home. The spirits were high throughout the program. The Malaysian police force who came in full force were amazed by the mobilization by the Burmese and maintained traffic control as well was very restrained.