Gahhment: we bend over for foreigners - but just not for locals
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheOptical/message/263
From TheOptical - Singapore prefers foreign protesters over its own
Singapore prefers foreign protesters over its own
By Fayen Wong
SINGAPORE, March 18 (Reuters) - A decision to allow foreign activists to stage rare political protests in Singapore next year is stoking controversy and angering an opposition party whose requests to demonstrate have been denied for years.
The party criticised the government on Friday for agreeing to let foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) hold peaceful demonstrations at the 2006 annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The opposition, a meagre force in a country where the ruling People's Action Party has governed since independence in 1965 and currently holds all but two seats in parliament, has had its requests for political rallies rejected by police in the past.
"History has shown that Singaporeans who have gathered peacefully to protest have been severely warned or punished by the government," said Charles Tan, president of Young Singapore Democrats, a youth wing of the Singapore Democratic Party.
The decision to allow foreign NGOs to hold demonstrations, announced this month, is "sheer double standard", Tan said.
Singapore is to host 16,000 delegates and visitors for the annual IMF and World Bank meetings in September 2006, when world financial leaders gather to discuss global trade and other economic issues.
Similar gatherings in other host cities in recent years attracted large groups of protesters.
The organisers of next year's event, Singapore's central bank, have said that some 300 authorised foreign NGOs may be allowed to hold peaceful protests.
The government would strictly enforce its zero-tolerance policy towards public protests, organisers said. But protesters affiliated with NGOs participating in the meetings might be allowed to demonstrate if they went through the proper channels.
"Our domestic law is not at odds with this. If they are properly registered and subject to certain conditions, we will allow the demonstrations to take place," said Goh Chye Boon, co-chairman of the planning committee.
...
Now imagine this interesting interchange (not highly improbable???) -
Local Protesters: Give us a permit - we would like to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Local Protesters: well then give us a permit - we would like to protest against not being given the permit to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Local Protesters: well then give us a permit - we would like to protest against not being given the permit to protest against not being given the permit to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Foreign protester: Give me a permit - i would like to protest.
Garrment: Are u a foreigner??? (proceeds to do visual check of skin colour) Step this way, pls....
fucking hell, the purpose of a protest is, TO PROTEST!!!
From TheOptical - Singapore prefers foreign protesters over its own
Singapore prefers foreign protesters over its own
By Fayen Wong
SINGAPORE, March 18 (Reuters) - A decision to allow foreign activists to stage rare political protests in Singapore next year is stoking controversy and angering an opposition party whose requests to demonstrate have been denied for years.
The party criticised the government on Friday for agreeing to let foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) hold peaceful demonstrations at the 2006 annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The opposition, a meagre force in a country where the ruling People's Action Party has governed since independence in 1965 and currently holds all but two seats in parliament, has had its requests for political rallies rejected by police in the past.
"History has shown that Singaporeans who have gathered peacefully to protest have been severely warned or punished by the government," said Charles Tan, president of Young Singapore Democrats, a youth wing of the Singapore Democratic Party.
The decision to allow foreign NGOs to hold demonstrations, announced this month, is "sheer double standard", Tan said.
Singapore is to host 16,000 delegates and visitors for the annual IMF and World Bank meetings in September 2006, when world financial leaders gather to discuss global trade and other economic issues.
Similar gatherings in other host cities in recent years attracted large groups of protesters.
The organisers of next year's event, Singapore's central bank, have said that some 300 authorised foreign NGOs may be allowed to hold peaceful protests.
The government would strictly enforce its zero-tolerance policy towards public protests, organisers said. But protesters affiliated with NGOs participating in the meetings might be allowed to demonstrate if they went through the proper channels.
"Our domestic law is not at odds with this. If they are properly registered and subject to certain conditions, we will allow the demonstrations to take place," said Goh Chye Boon, co-chairman of the planning committee.
...
Now imagine this interesting interchange (not highly improbable???) -
Local Protesters: Give us a permit - we would like to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Local Protesters: well then give us a permit - we would like to protest against not being given the permit to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Local Protesters: well then give us a permit - we would like to protest against not being given the permit to protest against not being given the permit to protest.
Money-faced, cowardly Garrment: No.
Foreign protester: Give me a permit - i would like to protest.
Garrment: Are u a foreigner??? (proceeds to do visual check of skin colour) Step this way, pls....
fucking hell, the purpose of a protest is, TO PROTEST!!!
This post is not sponsored by anybody, but by your author's own precious time, special effort, and hard work.
2 HaHaas:
N
testing :)
Give Me a HaHaa!!!
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