The aftermath of 10 of the November, caught on Al Jazeera. Props to them for reporting as the event developed. I stayed online scrambling for updates on just about every news site. Extra props to the readers of Malaysia-today and Harakahdaily for providing up to the minute updates of what was going on.

Jeff Ooi has a good rundown of coverage of the event, and a summary of what happened.

I’m annoyed by how our local media has been covering the event, and I swear to god if I hear the words “PERHIMPUNAN HARAM” muttered again I’ll have to kill someone.

I found RTM’s coverage to be the most entertaining, especially how they play dramatic music and show gruesome images of people getting beaten to the ground, whilst in blood red the words “INI DI LUAR BUDAYA KITA” and “DEMONSTRASI SELALU BERAKHIR DENGAN KEGANASAN” are emblazoned on the screen. So very stalinist, no?

Reuter’s Malaysian correspondent got it totally wrong, brandishing the event as an “Anwar rally”. Another tool for the government here?

Contrary to what Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin claims, Al Jazeera probably has the most balanced coverage of the event. They dont draw their own conclusions, they’re a news station, not an opinion station. They report and leave their viewers to draw their own conclusions. Don’t expect to find such integrity in local (mainstream) news media.

I can’t help but wonder how much more organised this event would have been had the police just approved the permit request. But I suppose higher powers commanded them, and forbid them from giving out a permit. After all, Pak Lah says there has never been a peaceful gathering before, and just listen to KJ banter on and on about how UMNO youth will take on the opposition on the streets.

At least 20 were arrested, and Melody has a list of the names of 15 of those that have been detained. Read up on her blog for some ways that you can help those that have been detained.

God bless them all, and I salute all that attended yesterday.