Tonight’s candlelight vigil draws the biggest support. Rain cannot dampen the spirit. The people who turned up to support the call for the abolishment of ISA came from all Malaysians – Malays, Indians, Chinese and more.
I love this photo because the magnificent building behind is the high court. I love how the building glows in the darkness, giving us hope that we shall see justice one day. Otherwise, it is a mockery of the law when they build/restore the majestic building with huge white pillars and yet, failed the citizens in carrying out justice.
The people gathered around 9 pm but the rain came down quite heavily. People huddled under umbrellas, strangers making friends. No one is daunted by the rain. Instead, everyone lighted their candles, get the lyrics ready and are so spirited.
Why do these people brave the rain to be together? Many of us are strangers. Why do people go out of their way to take part in the candlelight vigil, week after week, for six weeks? Because I think we believe in the power of the people. We know that if more of us come together, we will make our voices heard and we shall see changes. Someday, we hope to leave a legacy to our future generation that, “Yes, mommy/daddy/grandma/grandpa/aunty/uncle/etc were there to fight for justice and freedom.”
These young people are not afraid to say what they want, do what they believe in and be part of the movement. Syabas!
I am so touched to see this family consisting of mommy, daddy and a daughter about age 7-8 years old wearing Free RPK t-shirts. And the little girl went up to call for the release of RPK and No to ISA. The mom told me she reads my blog. Now I know it is AnakPenang, my blog reader.
The representative from Jemaah Islam Malaysia (hope I get it right?) was there and he said, in Islam, one must show proof before one charged the person guilty. He has everyone chanting “Mansuh ISA, Anti-ISA” in our loudest voices. Oh ya, we also did not forget Pak Lah. We also ucapkan “Selamat Hari Raya Pak Lah, Mansuhkan ISA.” Takut Pak Lah nanti merajuk kata kami biadap kan?
There are obviously a lot of video recording and cameras around. 😛 I think if you randomly take a photo of 20 people in a crowd, you will at least have one or two bloggers in that photo. The above in blue shirt, blue cap and spectacle is Anil Netto.
Aliran, Suaram and GMI were there with car stickers, t-shirts, free RPK t-shirts, badges and etc for sale. We can also send Deepavali card. I jotted down a card for Uthaya. I know my writing is ugly, ok? Damn nervous and don’t know what to write, ok?
So, overall, it is one of the most awesome gathering. We observe a minute of silence to remember the detainees and their families. I send my prayers to Jesus to continue keeping me spirited in doing what I am doing and at the same time, touch the hearts of more of His followers to do the Father’s will of taking care of our brothers and sisters, regardless of their faith or race. We are one.
I met up with a few bloggers too. Hi to Alex, Hi to Richard of Blood-Sucker (his post on the candlelight vigil) and Momo! Momo is the awarded the most dedicated candlelight vigil supporter.
On my way home, I went for dinner (or is it supper) at Jalan Johor. There is a fire along Jalan Dato Kramat and it looks like a tragedy with lots of police car, ambulance and fire engines. It rain really heavily and I hope no one is injured in the fire.
MORE PHOTOS AT FACEBOOK , but the album is only viewable by my Facebook friends and network. I do not upload all the photos but pick some of them.
Wah, I very honored loh but I just doing my part! Many many more, worked very hard behind the scene.
Tonight I roped in 2 enthusiastic little girls to give out the candles as well! One is Clariss (orange Free RPK Tshirt)…. sorry not too sure the name of the other little angel. Candles and cups were actually supplied by another angel (with green bag)! Tonight I gave out more candles than usual ….. the turnout has improved! Yay!
Eventhough It rained on and off, I was more thinking how our friends at Kamunting were faring. Would they be cold? Hungry? … etc,etc….. So a little rain should not bother me. I could go back home to have a hot shower, blow dry my hair, drink a cup of hot Milo, eat spicy mee mee, then fall asleep on a comfortable bed. Thinking like that I also sakit hati!
Now my stomach is full and I am still in front of the computer!
PS: Hope your place no flood!
Momo – My loukong early-early parked the car far away from the flood prone area liao. Sked tonight didn’t hear flood alarm. Really heavy rain just now but now, a bit ok liao.
I also makan curry mee, siew mai, ambra sui boey liao. And Clariss is AnakPenang’s family lah. Wuah, just now, I damn gian to go up and cakap but I sked….later lau jio how? Hahaha.
The photos you take are of exceptional quality, may I know what brand and model it is?
Thank You
She is certainly one spunky little girl. Her family arrived early and I immediately noticed her. Thanks Clariss and to your new friend too, for helping to give out the candles and cups!
Lilian, you lau jio oso, who can tell …. it was raining lah! hahaha…..
Hei Lilian,
Glad to have met you at the vigil. As always you are real good in the write ups and thanks for mentioning my blog.
As KF Tung commented, your photos are exceptionally of great quality, other then your quality camera you must be a professional photographer.
We are glad to be there as we know the vigil would the the last one and we missed last week’s gathering. Clarize was adamant not to miss it come hujan keramat or no hujan.
Lilian, if you’d gone up to sing, I would have joined you. Hahaha….
richard – Nice to put a face to a blog, ya? On my facebook album, there are some pics of you too. But face covered by the camera, don’t worry. Hahaha. Anyway, our photos on SB’s videos and cameras lagi dahsyat lah.
Momo – Yalor, early-early I already notice, wuah..whole family in Free RPK t-shirts, so semangat. I took their photos from the back. Cos I don’t like to capture ppl faces one, dunwan later kena blacklist mah.
KF Tung – I use Nikon D40 with the kit lens only. I dare not bring better lens cos sked of rain and water canon hahaha. Setting at 1600 ISO and WB at shade +3. Hahaha, actually, I tembak only, use instinct to set it. But I am quite happy with the results also. Been to so many candlelight vigil, now expert with night photography already.
AnakPenang – I sked….Hahaha. Cos my church ppl so many there, later they say, “Ish, ini pompuan, mana-mana pun can see her face, menyampah only.” But sing, I got lah, chorus girl mah.
My Princess has more guts than me. I only sing in the bathroom hehehe…
We see a potential Air Putih candidate 20 years from now. What do you think?
AnakPenang, I see , I see too!
First heard her chatting with her mum and another mum and daughter pair, I already noticed. Yes, I was standing nearby only. That’s why I approached her and her new friend to help distribute the candles.
Immediately she agreed, wah not shy shy one…. like that got potential loh!
Great to see so many fighting for what the believe in. Syabas.
Anyway, I see a lot of SBs in your photos leh.
At last we (a friend myself and) go our voices heard. And yes, the little in pink is so adorable. I’m seriously thinking of an SLR now. ISO640 isn’t for that kind of shooting.
Now, I better get more rest. Must be the food and rain the night before. God bless!
Tan Silly – Eh, next time hor, you think I should say , ‘tepi tepi tepi, saya mau tangkap gambar?’
julian – The piece of news of the Suaram volunteer getting detained in JB is ridiculous. They are intimidating us only. I read on The Star she merely send an email to protest about the police treatment and she is not even there at the demolition site! And she got handcuffed and detained for such serious issue.
momo – You really dedicated lah.
anakpenang – Yes, got potential. So brave of her.