The Unofficial Guide to Peaceful Assembly with Bersih

The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
The Unofficial Guide
to
Peaceful Assembly with Bersih 2.0
at
Stadium Merdeka
on
July 9 2011
Compiled by BersihWiki.com
Inventory Checklist
The Day Before The Rally
Day of the Rally
What To Do If….? Situations
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
Inventory Checklist
Please bring:
 Polite, light, comfortable clothing –
yellow with Bersih 2.0 logo if possible.
Bear in mind wearing yellow while
going into KL may make it more
difficult.
o
Wear multiple layers if possible
or bring a spare set of clothes in
case of tear gas/water cannon.






IC/driver’s licence, one ATM card
Cash up to RM 100
Running shoes
Mineral water
Light snacks: biscuits or sweets
Salt (small bag) – eat to restore
energy/recover from tear gas. Do not
rub on body.
 Small damp towel in plastic bag.
o
o
o
Preferably soaked in saltwater.
For tear gas and wiping
chemicals from skin.
Respirator masks (N100/N95)
and surgical masks if possible will
reduce gas inhalation.
Goggles can protect the eyes.
 Personal medication and inhalers
 Pen and paper (small notepad)
 Camera/videocam/recording devices
o
Spare SD cards/tapes for the
above in case of confiscation
 Paper map(s) of routes to the stadium
and other travel info, in case of
telecom/internet disruption.
 Printed or written guidelines with:
o
o
What to do in case of ____
Emergency contact numbers and
names
 Small rubbish bags
 Malaysian/state flags
 Plastic bag/light backpack/cheap carry
bag for all the above items.
Please do not bring:
Student ID/Staff pass
Credit cards/cash over RM100
Slippers, high heels, sandals
Sarung, skirts, flowy clothes
Sharp objects (except pens)
Explosive/highly flammable objects
Any wood/metal/firearm/object that
can be considered a weapon
Toy or fake weapons
Children below 10 years of age
Contact lenses (wear glasses)
Oil-based makeup – will burn your
face
Non-Bersih 2.0 logos on any banners,
placards or flags
Non-Bersih 2.0 jewelry or accessories
Non-Bersih 2.0 demand-related
slogans
Remember to pack light! But pack extra
of some items if you can, to share with
others.
Compiled by BersihWiki.
Sources: bersih.org, SUARAM, Street Rally
Guide for Beginners and other places.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
July 9: Things To Do
The Day Before the Rally
1. Check your equipment. Do you have
everything you need/want? Pack them.
2. Charge batteries for your camera, phone,
electronics etc.
3. Be sure you have enough money/tickets
for public transport. Buy in advance to
avoid queues. Service your vehicle if you
are riding one.
4. Inform someone at home/not going to the
rally where you will be, and why.
5. Give them contact numbers of friends you
are going with, in case your phone can’t be
reached.
6. Try to plan with other attendees to arrive
in groups. Try to avoid arriving alone.
7. Plan your route into the city. Plan multiple
routes in case some don’t work out. Plan to
have to walk in at some point if stations or
roads are closed.
8. Review information. Study maps for
exit/entry points. Remember what to do in
case of different situations: police, FRU
action, counterprotestors, etc. Know your
legal rights. Have emergency contact
numbers ready. (Bersih 2.0 Secretariat:
016-2208784)
9. Print/draw maps and other info. Don’t
count on availability of internet/GPS
services.
10. Keep updated online, with fellow friends,
etc., as to new developments.
11. Beware of misinformation and false
rumors, especially SMSes and emails
claiming that rally details have changed.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
July 9: Things to Do
On 9th July
Stage 1: Getting to the Rally
o
o
o
o
o
o
Don’t wear your yellow/Bersih 2.0 shirt until the
rally starts. Doing so may make it harder for you to
get there.
Don’t eat or drink too much before the rally. Toilet
facilities may not be available.
For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, fulfill your
religious duties, and pray in your own way that the
rally will be watched over, blessed and peaceful.
Lock your door before you leave.
Come to KL as early as possible. Try to avoid driving
into the city.
o If the road is blocked, find a place to park
your car and start walking.
o If bus/train/LRT/Monorail stations are closed,
ride to the closest stop and walk from there.
Ask, at the station you enter from, what
stations are closed today.
o Avoid deliberately antagonizing police. They
are following orders from above.
Come as a group. Avoid coming alone.
Stage 2: Waiting for the Rally to Start
o
o
o
Feel free to hang around public spaces near the Stadium Merdeka. Support local businesses.
Muslims are welcome to perform their Zohor prayers at nearby mosques.
Make your way to the Stadium before 2 pm. Give yourself some time.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
Stage 3: During the Rally
Remember: Stay Sensible. Stay Safe. Don’t Panic.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Identify the Field Commander (FD) or
members of the Unit Amal (UA) (red
shirt, black pants and berets) and follow
ALL instructions from them. Ignore any
other directives.
Always move in groups. Do not leave it
unless ordered.
Inform your friend(s) if you have to
leave because of an emergency/toilet.
Walk. Do not run or push.
Be aware of old folks, disabled and
children.
Give way to road traffic.
Always be sure of where you are. Don’t
lose your bearings. Keep watch for
escape routes.
Report any suspicious activities
immediately to the FD/UA. Take
photos/videos of suspicious
faces/actions where you can.
Do NOT provoke anyone with language
or action. Remember that this is a
peaceful rally.
Don’t litter. Put your rubbish in plastic
bags and bring them with you/dispose properly.
If you brought them, hold your national/state flags up while you are at the rally.
Take photos and videos. Document the rally as much as you can. Record the faces of law
enforcement personnel as a precaution. Record any incidents of conflict or abuse as evidence.
Stage 4: After the Rally
o
o
o
o
o
o
Dismiss slowly, quietly and peacefully.
Be sure to thank the Field Commander.
Help clean up the area.
Check that all the members of your group
are accounted for. If anyone is missing,
inform the FD or Bersih Secretariat.
If anyone from your group has been
detained, don’t just leave. Get information
from the Bersih Secretariat.
Spread news and info from the rally to others. Submit them to Bersih as well.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
July 9: What To Do In Case Of…
1) …Counter-Protestors/ Rowdy People


Read notes on the right.
Be on the lookout for counter-

protestors (from Perkasa, UMNO
Youth/Patriots, Pekida etc.)
Report aggressive behaviour to
the Field Commander or, if

necessary, restrain aggressors
without hitting them.
Hand them over to police.
Remember anything you do
against them will be held against

everyone rallying there.
2) …Police Provocation, Encirclement and Charging


Read notes on the right.
Sit down if instructed by
leadership.



Don’t leave your group
except if ordered by leadership.
Hold hands, lock arms with
each other and stand
together closely when the
police threaten to charge or fire
water cannons.
File a police report if you are
roughly handled.
3) …Water Cannons



Read notes on the right.
Cannon water may contain
irritant chemicals. Wipe off
your skin or wash as soon as
you are in a safe place.
If you cannot run in time, turn
around, cower down, and use
hands to make a tent over
mouth and nose to give you
some air.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
4) …Tear Gas


Read notes on the right.
Ideally, carry a gas mask.
Swimming goggles may
protect your eyes but narrow
your field of vision and make
it harder to see.





Carry a small bottle of 5%
baking soda solution to
wash skin and neutralize tear
gas effects. (Don’t drink from
it.)
Best to use salt
water/vinegar to wet your
towel and breathe through.
Don’t touch the tear gas
canister with your hands. If
you must move it wrap it with a damp towel first.
Use plain water to wash your eyes. Salt water or baking soda solution to wash your skin.
Eat salt, don’t rub yourself with it.
5) …Getting Arrested



Read the notes above.
You are only arrested if the policeman answers “yes” when you ask him that question.
The police cannot hold you…
o … if they only wish to bring you in as a “witness” to take your statement.
o …for longer than 24 hours without a remand order from the magistrate.
The BersihWiki Unofficial Guide to July 9
6) …Held at the Station


Read notes on the right.
Useful telephone
numbers for legal aid:
o SUARAM SMS
hotline:
013-210 2002
o KL Legal Aid Centre
for Urgent Arrest:
Ravin 019-325 5825
Leena 0122841895
Stephanie 016-343
5202
Jeeva 019-635 3151
7) …Released from Custody


Read notes on the
right.
Remember to take the
contact details of the
lawyer/person who
bailed you for future
reference.

Write everything that
happened down once
you get back home.
And above all, remember what you are there for.
Stay Sensible. Stay Safe. Don’t Panic.