Saturday: Malaysian police have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of people gathering to demonstrate against a security law allowing detention without trial.
Hundreds of police officers were awaiting the protesters as they arrived at three rallying points in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, for the banned demonstration on Saturday.
"There was no violent confrontation coming from the protesters but they were tear-gassed and dispersed," Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said."They tried to meet again near a department store and were tear-gassed again there and water cannon were fired.
"They have been swiftly and pretty heavily dealt with."
Witnesses said police charged at the protesters with batons.
About 20,000 protesters took part in the protests in three different areas, the Star newspaper and Malaysiakini news Web site reported.
Witnesses said police charged at the protesters with batons.
About 20,000 protesters took part in the protests in three different areas, the Star newspaper and Malaysiakini news Web site reported. Full report here
Ordinarily I'd not include political events in this blog but I have decided to do so for Nicole's benefit. I watched the news on Al-Jazeera at 2 pm and was surprised to hear that a massive crowd had turned up. After the recent rally at the MBPJ stadium right after the Teoh Beng Hock incident which drew a rather small crowd I thought people power was losing steam. Well how about this for size!
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