Black flags in the face of eviction

Residents of Kampung Sungai Baru carrying black flags march towards the Suhakam office in the capital city to hand over a memorandum against the government's acquisition of their land.

Some are on foot while others form an escort on their motorcycles for a four-wheel drive carrying vocal activist Rafidah Ibrahim.

Slowly but steadily they make their way under the blazing sun through the streets of downtown Kuala Lumpur and past iconic structures like the Petronas Twin Towers.

The black flags, along with the white banners and lanterns they carry, are a symbol of their disappointment and an expression of mourning for what they describe as the death of justice.

With them is a man known as Mythreyar, who has always supported the struggle for the rights of Malaysians regardless of creed or background.

The memorandum is a demand for their rights and a protest against the use of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 ahead of their eviction on July 16.

Rafidah Ibrahim (in yellow) expresses her disappointment with the government as the procession continues towards the Suhakam office.

Malay rights activist and president of Putra, Ibrahim Ali, accompanies the residents on their march.

He, too, addresses the residents before they submit their memorandum to the human rights commission.

Large banners expressing frustration and disappointment with the government can be seen in the crowd.

PAS leader Zaharudin Muhammad, who is also with the group, takes his turn to address the residents as they approach the Suhakam office.

Zainab Alias, chairman of the Kampung Sungai Baru Residents’ Rights Committee, hands over the memorandum demanding justice and the upholding of rights to Suhakam secretary Altaf Deviyati Ismail (second from right).