God save the bears
Aussie "bear" detained as Britain's queen starts Singapore visit
Singapore police detained an Australian animal-rights activist dressed in a bear suit as Queen Elizabeth II began a state visit to this former British colony.
Jodi Ruckley, a 33-year-old activist of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) from Sydney, was questioned after brandishing a placard saying "God save the bears" near the Istana palace, where the monarch was to be formally welcomed by President S.R. Nathan.
Ruckley called AFP later to say police had released her with a warning.
She said her brief detention had prevented her from making the queen aware of PETA's opposition to the use of Canadian black bear pelts for the Queen's Guards' ceremonial bearskin hats.
Ruckley threatened further protests during the queen's two-day Singapore visit, saying she was prepared to risk further police action on behalf of the bears.
"To tell you the truth it is risky but... that's nothing compared to what they're going through," she said.
Protests are banned in tightly-governed Singapore unless organisers obtain a police permit in advance.
The brief demonstration occurred just hours before the queen's husband Prince Philip was to attend the formal opening of environmental group WWF International's office in Singapore.
He is the president emeritus of the organisation, which also works for the protection of endangered species.
"We are not giving up till they change to synthetic fur," PETA spokesman Jason Baker told reporters of the bear-inspired protests.
Earlier protests staged here by PETA have been against fastfood chain KFC and the treatment of sheep in Australia.
A police spokesman said the PETA demonstrator was released after being taken away in a police van.
"Officers interviewed the person and checked on her to find out the purpose of her being there. Thereafter, she was advised to leave as it was inappropriate for her to be there," the spokesman said.
The queen later reviewed a guard of honour at the Istana palace and went ahead with her planned meeting with Nathan.
Later Friday she was to visit a war memorial, tour a public housing block and have a reunion with a Singaporean family she first met in 1972.
She arrived Thursday night for the two-day state visit, which is to conclude Saturday with her awarding the winner's cup at the Queen Elizabeth II horse race at the Singapore Turf Club.
It is her third visit to the former British colony where, according to a veteran Singaporean diplomat, she enjoys "universal" respect and admiration.
"The queen is no stranger to Singapore and Singaporeans are familiar with the very high standards she has steadfastly and regally maintained in office despite the changing times and the difficulties in her own personal life," the diplomat told AFP.
"Especially for the older Singaporeans, who have grown with the queen, her majesty is one lovely person. She is also seen as the person who single-handedly, with her unquestionable integrity and enormous diplomatic skills, has kept the monarchy alive and respected," he added.
Courtesy from Yahoo & AFP
Singapore police detained an Australian animal-rights activist dressed in a bear suit as Queen Elizabeth II began a state visit to this former British colony.
Jodi Ruckley, a 33-year-old activist of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) from Sydney, was questioned after brandishing a placard saying "God save the bears" near the Istana palace, where the monarch was to be formally welcomed by President S.R. Nathan.
Ruckley called AFP later to say police had released her with a warning.
She said her brief detention had prevented her from making the queen aware of PETA's opposition to the use of Canadian black bear pelts for the Queen's Guards' ceremonial bearskin hats.
Ruckley threatened further protests during the queen's two-day Singapore visit, saying she was prepared to risk further police action on behalf of the bears.
"To tell you the truth it is risky but... that's nothing compared to what they're going through," she said.
Protests are banned in tightly-governed Singapore unless organisers obtain a police permit in advance.
The brief demonstration occurred just hours before the queen's husband Prince Philip was to attend the formal opening of environmental group WWF International's office in Singapore.
He is the president emeritus of the organisation, which also works for the protection of endangered species.
"We are not giving up till they change to synthetic fur," PETA spokesman Jason Baker told reporters of the bear-inspired protests.
Earlier protests staged here by PETA have been against fastfood chain KFC and the treatment of sheep in Australia.
A police spokesman said the PETA demonstrator was released after being taken away in a police van.
"Officers interviewed the person and checked on her to find out the purpose of her being there. Thereafter, she was advised to leave as it was inappropriate for her to be there," the spokesman said.
The queen later reviewed a guard of honour at the Istana palace and went ahead with her planned meeting with Nathan.
Later Friday she was to visit a war memorial, tour a public housing block and have a reunion with a Singaporean family she first met in 1972.
She arrived Thursday night for the two-day state visit, which is to conclude Saturday with her awarding the winner's cup at the Queen Elizabeth II horse race at the Singapore Turf Club.
It is her third visit to the former British colony where, according to a veteran Singaporean diplomat, she enjoys "universal" respect and admiration.
"The queen is no stranger to Singapore and Singaporeans are familiar with the very high standards she has steadfastly and regally maintained in office despite the changing times and the difficulties in her own personal life," the diplomat told AFP.
"Especially for the older Singaporeans, who have grown with the queen, her majesty is one lovely person. She is also seen as the person who single-handedly, with her unquestionable integrity and enormous diplomatic skills, has kept the monarchy alive and respected," he added.
Courtesy from Yahoo & AFP
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