(The Star) - A huge crowd has gathered at the MPK4 field here for the Himpunan Hijau 2.0 anti-Lynas rare earth plant protest. The protestors, most of them in light green attire, have been assembling at various locations leading to the field before marching in groups.
Police have been stationed at all entry points leading to the field. A police helicopter is seen monitoring the events from the air.
By 9am, the gathering turned into a carnival-like atmosphere with people beating drums and others cycling to the field to join the protest.
Many were seen in attire with the words "Stop Lynas" printed on them.
In Kuala Lumpur, a group of people gathered at Maju Junction to show their support for the anti-Lynas protest, singing Rasa Sayang and Heal The World. They chanted slogans like "Stop Lynas, Save Malaysia".
In Sibu, a group gathered at the Sibu Friendship Association to show their support.
Here is a timeline of events:
11.00am: Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk S. Ambiga tells the crowd that Malaysians reject Lynas and those who support the project.
10.50am: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrives.
10.25am: DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang and Selangor MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim arrive at the gathering.
MCA's Indera Mahkota Youth chairman David Choi arrives, says he came "together with our families, there are about 50 of us here."
10.20am: The protestors sing Suara Rakyat. Hishammudin Rais takes the microphone to give a speech.
10:10:am: A. Samad Said reads a poem titled "Gebeng Yang Luka" to the crowd.
9.45am: The rally gets underway with the singing of the Negaraku by the protestors, led by activist Hishamuddin Rais.
9.15am: Crowd cheer every time a group arrives at the field.
9.00am: Big crowd at the field chanting anti-Lynas slogans. National laurette A Samad Said, PKR leaders R Sivarasa, N Surendran, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh seen at the field.
It is a carnival atmosphere with some people beating drums as more people march into the field. Several protestors show that they walk they talk by cycling to the field.
8.20am: Crowd and jam starting to build up at the field.
8.15am: Scattered groups of protesters seen walking along Jalan Datuk Wong Ah Jang towards the field after having breakfast at stalls nearby. Traffic cops monitoring situation at strategic corners.
8am: People starting to assemble in front of Megaview Hotel, some 2km away from the MPK4 field, the site of the protest venue, among them is national laureate A. Samad Said.
