Singapore Court Acquits Three Women Over Pro-Palestine Walk, Sparking Hope for Activists
In a rare turn of events, a Singapore court has acquitted three women charged with organizing an illegal procession after they led a peaceful walk in support of the Palestinian cause earlier this year. The verdict has been hailed by local activists as a moment of renewed hope for civil expression in a nation known for its strict limits on public gatherings.
The Case and Its Background
The three women — community organizers Mossammad Sobikun Nahar and Kokila Annamalai, and content creator Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori — were accused of organizing a public procession without a police permit. The walk, held in February 2024, took participants from a shopping mall to Singapore’s presidential office, the Istana.
Around 70 people joined the event, many holding umbrellas painted like watermelons — a widely recognized symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
Prosecutors argued that the women had broken Singapore’s Public Order Act by leading a procession in a prohibited area without prior approval. However, the defense maintained that the organizers did not know their chosen route — which followed public roads — fell within a restricted zone.
A Surprising Acquittal
On Tuesday, a district court judge ruled in favor of the women, saying the evidence did not support the charge of knowingly organizing a procession in a prohibited area.
While acknowledging that the trio had organized a procession, the judge noted that they had taken clear steps to avoid violating the law.
“It is clear from the evidence that the three of them were trying their level best not to run afoul of the law,” the judge said, emphasizing that the area’s restricted status was not clearly marked and that the group had used public walkways.
The judge concluded that the women “would not have had any inkling” that their chosen route was off-limits.
Had they been convicted, each woman could have faced a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$7,700) or six months in jail, or both.
Celebration and Caution Outside Court
The verdict was met with loud gasps and cheers in the packed courtroom, where dozens of supporters had gathered to show solidarity. Outside the State Courts, the three women posed for photos surrounded by friends and fellow activists, many wearing keffiyeh scarves and the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Ms. Annamalai told the BBC that the acquittal came as a surprise — and as a much-needed boost for Singapore’s small but resilient activist community.
“We were fully prepared to be convicted,” she said. “It’s difficult to feel celebratory because we shouldn’t have been charged in the first place. But this decision gives a new sense of energy and hope. The community needed a win.”
She explained that the women deliberately chose to wear outfits representing Palestinian colors during their court appearances to send a message of defiance and solidarity.
Protests and Strict Rules in Singapore
Public demonstrations are extremely rare in Singapore, a country that maintains some of the strictest protest laws in the world. Citizens and residents must obtain police permits for any event that promotes a cause — even small gatherings.
Authorities have repeatedly said that such restrictions are essential to maintaining peace and racial harmony in the multi-ethnic nation. However, critics argue that the rules stifle freedom of speech and suppress civil activism.
Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war, the government has rejected all permit applications related to the conflict, warning that such events could lead to “public disorder.” Officials have said the issue is too sensitive and risks inflaming tensions among Singapore’s diverse population.
The authorities have also banned online and offline events related to the Gaza war. In January 2025, police opened an investigation into a group of local university students who organized a memorial event for Palestinian students in front of a building linked to an Israeli research institution. Six people were questioned in that case.
A Landmark Moment for Civil Activism
While the women’s acquittal doesn’t signal a shift in Singapore’s overall stance on protests, it has energized activists who see it as a rare acknowledgment of citizens’ intent and good faith.
Observers note that previous cases — even single-person demonstrations — have often led to convictions. The leniency shown in this case could, therefore, represent a small but meaningful precedent for peaceful civic actions.
“This ruling shows that intention matters,” said a local rights observer. “It’s a reminder that activism doesn’t always have to end in punishment — sometimes, it can open a window for dialogue.”
Government Response and Possible Appeal
Singapore’s Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) confirmed to the BBC that prosecutors intend to appeal the acquittal. If successful, the women could still face penalties.
The AGC said in a statement that maintaining public order remains a “core principle of Singapore’s governance”, emphasizing that gatherings which risk causing division or unrest must continue to be carefully regulated.
Singapore’s Position on Palestine
Singapore’s foreign policy toward the Israel-Palestine conflict has remained consistent over the years. The government supports a two-state solution, recognizing both Israel’s right to exist and the need for a sovereign Palestinian state.
In September 2024, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore would formally recognize a Palestinian state “when it has an effective government that accepts Israel’s right to exist and categorically renounces terrorism.”
The city-state also supported Palestine’s admission to the United Nations, aligning its stance with that of many nations advocating for a diplomatic path to peace.
A Symbol of Defiance and Hope
For many in Singapore’s civil society, the acquittal represents more than just a legal victory. It is a symbolic moment showing that peaceful expression and solidarity still have space — however limited — in a tightly controlled environment.
“This case shows that compassion and conscience are not crimes,” Ms. Annamalai said after the hearing. “We hope it reminds everyone that standing up for justice, even in small ways, matters.”
As the three women walked out of the courthouse, hand in hand and smiling, their supporters chanted quietly:
“Freedom for Palestine. Justice for all.”
Whether or not the prosecution’s appeal succeeds, their story has already left a mark — one that could inspire a new generation of Singaporeans to speak up peacefully for what they believe in, even under the weight of restrictive laws.