Excitement Should Go With Precaution

The first of May is around the corner and the anxiety begins for those who are going to participate in the peaceful gathering for the GST Protest.

The various NGOs and political body are going to make their presence felt. Through the grapevines, it seems that the crowd could be huge.

In the event of the inevitable to come, it is better to get ready to protect yourself and your equipment.

Lets turn back the pages of time and see for yourself what I mean.

The four short clips were from a peaceful protest by the Iranian students on the 16 June 2009 at Damansara. It was a protest against the election of their president back home.

Unexpectedly, a peaceful event had turned ugly. Why?

The following clips were recorded on 01 August 2009 during the Anti-ISA Protest in the vicinity of Sogo at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, and the other at Jalan Raja Laut.

As expected the police will come on hard on the peaceful protesters. Why?

For precautionary purposes, we have to be well-prepared. Check out the followings.

1. Do not wash your face with water when affected by teargas. Get someone to blow cigarette smoke onto your face.

2. When gasping for air, quickly put in a few grains of salt into the mouth to taste.

3. When the water canon is about to spray (usually chemical laced) quickly cover your equipment with a disposable raincoat (cost RM 2.50 at 7-Eleven outlet) including yourself.

4. Then take shelter at any available place to protect yourself.

5. The safer place is to follow the FRU officers from behind. But action is limited.

6. Come home in one piece.