As the world awaits on the verdict on the case of Amos Yee in court today, the past week has been turbulent to say the least, as the plight of the 16-year-old enfant terrible prompted multiple demonstrations in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Yesterday, a rally was held at Hong Lim Park, gathering an estimated 500 people who protested the treatment dealt upon Yee for practising his freedom of expression, as well as calling out for his release.
Organised by Community Action Network, the rally saw figures and representatives such as Braema Mathi of human rights organisation MARUAH, former political detainee Teo Soh Lung, popular actress Neo Swee Lin and many others, The Online Citizen reports. They all expressed their disagreement over the disproportionate punishment the teenager has suffered ever since his rant against Lee Kuan Yew went viral.
Yee was convicted in May on two criminal charges: wounding religious feelings in an expletive-laden video comparing Lee Kuan Yew to Jesus, and circulating an obscene cartoon of the former prime minister, who died in March. He has been remanded in prison for over 50 days so far, and all just for speaking his mind.
Yesterday evening saw another dramatic turn of events — The Online Citizen reported that he was sent to the A&E department of Changi Hospital after his blood glucose levels dropped sharply. According to his mother, he had not been eating for several days, and was not sleeping well in addition to feeling depressed. He has since returned to the Institute of Mental Health this morning.
Photo: The Online Citizen
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