[New-imc] Singapore Activists hope to set up Indymedia chapter

[Seelan Palay]

Greetings Indymedia,

My name is Seelan Palay, an activist from Singapore. I recently attended an
info-session on Indymedia in Jakarta where Indymedia coordinators from
Indonesia, Philippines and the United States were present. Looking at how
oppressive Singapore is in terms of freedom of speech, press and assembly,
they were hoping that we could set up an Indymedia chapter in Singapore.

Singapore is ranked 141 out of 167 countries for press freedom by Reporters
Without Borders. All press is under the government managed Singapore Press
Holdings. All protests are illegal, even one-man protests. If you remember
during the 2006 IMF/WB summit in Singapore, scores of activists were denied
entry, and the only protest that happened was of 10 locals, who were
surrounded by herds of police in one spot for 3 days. You can watch a video
of that event here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1ilenkPaM

During the 2006 summit, I was going to distribute factsheets on the impacts
of IMF policies. I was arrested, had my room searched and my computer
confiscated. News of that event is here -
http://singaporeelection.blogspot.com/2006/09/seelan-palay-arrested-for-giving-out.html

The collective of independent direct action activists I am in have continued
our struggle for free speech, press and assembly and took action for this
year's World Press Freedom Day as well -
http://jg69.blogspot.com/2008/05/singapore-activists-mark-world-press.html

Our next action will be for the Anti-G8 International Day of Solidarity.

I did ask for  Manila Indymedia to help give a heads up on our
interest/initiative. I will prepare all the documents/statements we will
have to come up with and the form to submit to NewIMC, however this email is
to give you initial information to gain trust and keep in touch.

Seelan Palay
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