In rain and chaos, Bersih marches on

July 09, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Chaos has broken out in parts of the capital city.
Amidst pouring rain, warning sirens, shouts, chants and the whizzing of tear gas canisters being fired continued to fill the air.
Police helicopters are seen hovering over the city, monitoring the situation from above.
At the absence of their leaders, many of whom are defying orders locking them out of the city, Bersih 2.0’s protestors are moving on their own from separate locations to meet at one location — Stadium Merdeka.
At the historic site, the coalition of 62 NGOs is scheduled to hold its second rally since 2007 calling for electoral reforms.
But the police appear determined to stop them and are seen clubbing at protestors, dragging them away during arrests and piling them into navy blue trucks.
Undeterred, protestors are pushing on in groups, linking arms as they defy orders to stand down through jeers and shouts of “Bersih!”
Some are dressed in Bersih’s yellow, some are brandishing placards or banners and many came prepared with soaked cloths to cover their faces from the gas.
They run helter-skelter to dodge the police, constantly dispersing and regrouping as they move forward, past the plumes of tear gas and smoke.
Here are some of the updates from The Malaysian Insider’s reporters Shazwan M. Kamal, Boo Su-Lyn, Yow Hong Chieh, Debra Chong and Melissa Chi on the ground.
“People of all ages and races are gathered at the Menara Maybank junction. Some are wearing yellow raincoats, yellow bandanas with Bersih scribbled on them and yellow armbands.”
“Estimated 8000 in front of pudu station. The two groups of Bersih supporters now stopped near Pudu station, appear to be waiting, chanting. Crowd size swelling by the minute, no sign of cops yet. Roads to petaling st have effectively been blocked as well as Pudu.”
“Crowd runs towards FRU truck at Menara Maybank and FRU truck moves back as it sprays water cannons.”
“Tear gas fired into Menara Maybank. Crowd rushes for shelter inside Menara Maybank. People share salt to help against tear gas. Phalanxes of fully-armed riot police stand near Menara Maybank with six FRU trucks.”
“Shops near Petaling Street, Kota Raya are all closed, though some onlookers can be seen on top of some tall buildings.”
“Cops roughed up a man and arrested him.  They are searching his belonging now while other cops waiting for Bersih people to walk towards them.”
“Police are dragging a man forcefully away and are shouting at protestors to disperse.”
“Five Malay men kneel and pray on the grass near Menara Maybank as the crowd moves away from the place.”
 “A man falls to the ground as photographers and police surround him.”