Update: Malaysian protesters met with violence

Apr 28

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Update: Malaysian protesters met with violence

Riot police in Malaysia fired water cannons and tear gas against protesters calling for electoral reform.

A protester sits in front of riot police during a rally in Kuala Lumpur April 28, 2012. REUTERS/Samsul Said

Note: see our earlier coverage of the Bersih rally here.

The much anticipated Bersih (or "clean" in Malay) 3.0 rally took place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, with organisers claiming that 250,000 attended. People gathered in various parts of central Kuala Lumpur throughout the morning before marching towards the Dataran Merdeka ("Independence Square").

View the story "Malaysian protestors met with violence" on StorifyMalaysian protestors met with violenceRiot police in Malaysia fired water cannons and tear gas against protestors calling for electoral reform.Storified by The Stream · Sat, Apr 28 2012 10:53:12The much anticipated Bersih (or "clean" in Malay) 3.0 rally took place in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, with organisers claiming that 250,000 attended. People gathered in various parts of central Kuala Lumpur throughout the morning before marching towards the Dataran Merdeka ("Independence Square").
#occupydataran protester holding a sign saying 'Take back the square, re-occupy dataran merdeka'. #bersih http://pic.twitter.com/rKs5VdL4#occupydataranWe are walking. This is it.Tricia YeohundefinedRackcdnundefinedTwimgundefinedTwimgThe rally was peaceful until a group of protestors reportedly broke the barricade and police fired teargas and water cannons at them around 3pm (7am GMT). Alternative news source Malaysiakini claims the water was laced with chemicals.

Crowd broke through barriers near Bar Council 2 get 2 dtr Merdeka & FRU fired water canons and tear gasshahanaaz habibRight in the middle of tear gas attack, Bersih 3.0 - Dataran MerdekaspacecadetblingThis video shows what seems to be the beginning of the tear gas around the 0.49 mark. Dataran Merdeka - Police Started Fire Tear Gas & Water Cannons #BERSIH3.0obitoputraundefinedTwimgundefinedTwimgBersih 3.0 - The Attack! 28-4-12.3gpoctopuz1Protestors here are seen covering their mouths to avoid inhaling tear gas.undefinedTwimg#bersihpic Teargas canister http://pic.twitter.com/VvqLTNk4JRundefinedTwimgundefinedTwimg
Police say they were forced to crackdown because protestors had breached the entrance to the Dataran. Police obtained a permit on Friday which barred the rally from taking place within the iconic square. Many online however, are sceptical that the use of force was necessary. There were more than enough cops and firepower to arrest any of those fellas that breached the barrier. No need for gas and cannons. #bersihLord Bobo's MinionSpins tomo. Car overturn. Pistol stolen. Barricade broken. Hence massive amount of gas&water. Nonsense. #BersihEdmund BonRT"@vangeyzel : I wonder why police are arresting journos for taking photos. Even smashing their video cameras. Don't you? #Bersih3"Yaw Ern NianDo people feel a sense of fiendish joy when they inflict harm to others? #bersihBedlam FuryThis photo, taken by photographer Danny Lim, shows an activist peacefully placing a sign in front of the police barricade that reads "Occupy Dataran", a popular slogan that was used before and during the rally.undefinedStaticflickrReports indicate that the protestors maintained unity despite the police response. RT @bedlamfury: #BERSIH A protester throws a tear gas canister back at police in #KualaLumpur http://asiancorrespondent.com/81404/tear-gas-used-as-25000-rally-for-malaysia-reforms/ http://yfrog.com/h6gr6biyjyerry niko#Bersihreport To all brothers who aided me when being tear-gassed, may God bless you guys always. Will never forget ur support & kindness..Nurul HusnaundefinedInstagramRT @AmandaKhoo: Keep Calm & Rally On #bersih #malaysia #bersih3.0 #democracy #clean&fairelections http://twitpic.com/9ekqgfJoanna FaithRT @vangeyzel: #Bersih was a success. Many thousands in KL despite fear of govt. Historic day. I condemn those who misbehaved.Pei Ling GanRallies in other Malaysian cities such as Penang, remained peaceful. See below.

RT @5xmom: My thoughts r w those in KL. Why Penang #Bersih so peaceful http://twitpic.com/9enl7p Why KL so kejam teargas n water canon?DAP Rocket
Solidarity rallies also took place around the world. Below are some fliers of Bersih protests in Nottingham and Auckland.
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For more background on Bersih 3.0, see yesterday's coverage by The Stream.

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