Singapore—After migrants rights activist Jolovan Wham was ordered to report to Tanglin police for having posted a photo of himself on social media with a placard with a smiley face two months ago, other netizens started posting smiley photos of their own in solidarity with the activist.
Mr Wham wrote on his social media accounts on Wednesday (May 20) that he had held up the smiley face sign at Toa Payoh Central, took a picture, and then left. He received word that he had violated the Public Order Act and was asked to go to the Tanglin police division on Sunday (May 24) at 2:00 pm.
https://twitter.com/jolovanwham/status/1263022005223165957
Later, the activist explained that he had posted the photo “in response to someone in sg who got investigated by the police for participating in a climate strike.”
After he had spoken to the police he posted a photo of himself again, thanking his friends for their support.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158520432384810&set=p.10158520432384810&type=3&theater
But the support for Mr Wham has grown online, with netizens posting photos of themselves holding smiley face placards, or even changing their profile photos to smiley faces.
His supporters include fellow migrants rights activist Kokila Annamalai.
https://www.facebook.com/kokila.annamalai/posts/10164026615930085
As well as noted playwright Alfian Sa’at, who wrote, “In solidarity with you, Jolovan. A dissident is often someone who just wants his country to be better than the ones ruling it.”
Mohan Dutta wrote a poem about Mr Wham:
“And he stands
at your gates
holding a placard
with a smiling face,
standing in peace
as an invitation,
a stand
that threatens
your house of cards,
built on its
repressive rules,
and tools to silence.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159961191302782&set=a.74137237781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/ottofong/posts/10157012612990636
https://www.facebook.com/rocky.howe.wk/posts/3033485023398410
Luke Wong changed his profile photo to a smiley face
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2715695281979970&set=a.1561405497408960&type=3&theater
Bernice Lee posted a whole city of cardboard people ” also wanting a better future for our climate and the people who depend on it.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10116210050820135&set=a.10112425764340575&type=3&theater
Many netizens wondered why holding up a smiley face would merit such a response from the authorities.
https://twitter.com/benedictjt/status/1263119146679590912
https://twitter.com/LukeWhito/status/1263035691186847744
how is that violating any ordinance, if any, in this #fine city of #Singapore?
— Ahiru San | #AntiCCPSecurityLaw, #FreeHongKong (@AhiruSan17) May 20, 2020
-/TISG
Read also: Jolovan Wham starts 1-week prison sentence for criticising judiciary
Lee Hsien Yang said he doesn’t need to be repaid for contribution towards court appeal: Jolovan Wham