Yellow Shirts march to Parliament, call for the release of Maria (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds of women clad in yellow t-shirts marched to Parliament today in a show of solidarity for Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah.
The crowd, estimated at more than 500, comprised of civil and women's rights advocates who are calling for the release of Maria who was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
Chants of "Bebas Maria (Free Maria)" and "Mansuh Sosma (Repeal Sosma)" were heard throughout the march, while many of the participants were seen holding placards and banners in support of Maria.
The group had earlier left their initial gathering point in Padang Merbok at 10.45am and arrived at Parliament gates 30 minutes later.
Their advance was however halted by police who had earlier prepared to form a human barricade just outside the entrance of Parliament.
Police however allowed several representatives from the group to enter Parliament grounds to submit a memorandum calling for Maria's release from detention.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim accepted the memorandum on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Global Bersih steering committee member Ivy Josiah who coordinated the march, said she had been informed by lawyers representing Maria that she would be detained for the full 28 days provided under Sosma.
"We are mystified and perplexed on why she was arrested for leading a democratic movement. Where is the terrorism in that?" she said.
Also present yesterday were former Bersih 2.0 co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and PKR's women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.