Aim is to ensure foreigners don’t attend Pink Dot, and protect participants in wake of terror attacks
In a statement on their official website, Pink Dot organisers said barricades would be set up and those attending are required to show their pink or blue identity cards to prove that they are Singaporeans or permanent residents.
In previous Pink Dot events, while foreigners were prohibited from participating, they were allowed to observe the rally.
The measures are aimed at dealing with two issues – to ensure that foreigners do not attend the event, as well as security concerns in the wake of recent terrorist attacks.
Pink Dot was advised by police to check the bags of attendees for the safety of participants after a bomb went off on May 22 at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, killing 22 and injuring more than 100.
Closer to home, two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a bus terminal in Jakarta last Wednesday, killing three policemen.
Surprisingly, the usual anti-foreigners alternative sites such as All Singapore Stuff, The Independent Singapore, States Times Review, etc have voiced out their disagreement against the decision, claimed the decision is against freedom of speech for the foreigners.
In the website’s frequently asked questions section, organisers said that foreigners who want to support the event can follow the proceedings which will be streamed on Facebook. There will also be updates on the event’s social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter platforms.
