Mahkota Cheras anti-toll demo 2

There was a anti toll-hike demo at Grand Saga toll in Cheras yesterday morning, our last official outing for 2006. 🙂

When we gathered at the cement blockade at Mahkota Cheras, there were many policemen waiting. They knew we were going to gather there as we have made the announcement at our last demonstration and on the internet.

Hundreds showed up and hundreds more from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and and Bandar Sg Long were unable to be at the scene because they were stopped by the police at a major the road block.

As the crowd gathered strength, we proceeded to walk to the toll plaza to meet with Kit Siang, Kok Wai and others as planned.

When the OCPD saw us marching towards the toll plaza, he ordered his boys to stop us. The cops responded by raising their shields as they stood in formation. Because there were too many of us, including residents with children following us, it was rather difficult for the police to forcibly stop us from marching on.

We eventually managed to cross the road and meet with our colleagues and other residents at the other side of the highway and toll plaza.

We started our speeches and soon enough one policeman came and asked us to cut short our speeches. We ignored him and rant on for about half an hour. Teng Chang Khim warned the police not to be too or else we’d go and stand in the middle of the highway. When I spoke, I said police officers, their families and friends have to pay toll too and we are all victims of this system and they should be supportive of our action.

At the end of the gathering, the residents brought out a box which symbolised toll plaza, each side of the box had pictures of Samy Vellu and toll plaza boss. They then threw eggs at the pictures.

It was a peaceful demonstration, no one was arrested.

However, I felt very sad when I came back. When I wanted to download the photos to put on my blog, I realised that my camera was gone. I don’t even know when I lost it too. So sad… good, nice camera too, and it’s now gone. 🙁

The photos in this blog entry are courtesy of Lee Kee Hiong, our HQ manager who was instrumental in organising the demonstration.

* I’ll be away in Sabah for a series of meetings and there may not be any updates until I’m back.