Yesterday evening (02.04.2011) at around 5:30pm, a group of about 15 security polices from Khan Don Penh came to our dancing place to warn us not to put the music on. I asked one of them who named was Chantha. Here was the conversation:
Me: Why are we not allowed to plays music while the state music was loudly plays the Korean song right in front of Wat Putum?
Security police Chantha: Because he got order from the Mayor of Phnom Penh
Me: And why he order so?
Security police Chantha: Because when the mayor exercises he doesn’t need music
Me: But that is him not us. Where is the letter than he made order?
Security police Chantha: I don’t know. If you play the music, I will collect your equipment then you can complain later.
To be noted that this police security was standing on the green grass when talking to us.
Me: Pu, this green grass is not allowed to step on.
Security police Chantha: I am the care taker of this garden; I have the rights to step on it.
Then, he walked away à we followed
After walking here and there, they (security polices) took off. We started to play our music and dance. This time we played the smaller speakers. I then called to four Parliamentarian members to ask whether this is this regulation that music is not allowed. Four of them said “NO, there isn’t.” I then called Madam Mu Sochua, elected parliamentarian. I don’t care if she is from the opposition party, but all we need was someone to protect us. At that moment, she was the only one I could reach. She came to have a look at our dancing place. After a while when we was dancing, the security polices came again. While stepping down their cars, they may have seen Madam Mu Sochua, they got back in the cars, took off, and never come back again till we finish dancing.
We need an explanation why music is not allowed? Is it true that the Mayor did really make an order? If the music is too loud or we dance too late, we can negotiate. Therefore, we are collection the thumb print of our supporters and will submit this thumb print together with a request letter to the City Hall of Phnom Penh on Monday. As of today (03.04.2011 at 11am), we have got 106 thump print. We will continue to collect the thump print and will go to the city hall on Monday morning.
We you would like to give your support through your thumb print, please come to the Wat Butum park in front of Hong Kong Center from 5:30pm this evening.
